Argentine League to Pause Games in 10th Minute to Honour Lionel Messi
· Sports · BBC Sport, BBC News
The Argentine league will pay tribute to Lionel Messi by pausing all matches in the 10th minute this weekend for a minute of applause following his retirement from international football. The 39-year-old forward announced his retirement on Monday, having captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022 and earned a record 207 caps. Messi scored a record 125 goals for the national team and made his final appearance in the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain in July. He stated that the death of his father, Jorge, in August reinforced his decision to step away from international play. Messi will continue his club career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami under a contract running through the 2028 season.
Why it matters
The tribute marks the departure of Argentina's most capped player and record goalscorer, closing a two-decade chapter in international football.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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