AFA Pays Tribute to Lionel Messi, Argentine League Match Was Stopped at the 10th Minute

Lionel Messi has officially concluded his playing career with the Argentina national team. Yet the story of the captain is far from over. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has prepared a special tribute for Messi, ordering all Argentine League matches this weekend to be temporarily paused at the 10th minute.

The number 10 was selected to represent the iconic jersey number synonymous with the 39-year-old football megastar.

This act of respect stands as an appreciation for all Messi contributed while representing La Albiceleste.

The AFA has called on every corner of the Argentine football community to honour the player who became the defining figure of the Tango nation's golden football era.

"As a formal gesture of respect and gratitude for Lionel Messi's career with the Argentina national team, match officials will halt play at the 10th minute across all scheduled fixtures," read the official AFA statement as cited by The Athletic.

"We look forward to your presence at the stadiums. Stand together with us for this tribute."

Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, 31 August. His final match for Argentina was the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain held this past July.

Messi's decision draws the curtain on an entire era. He departs the national side holding a list of records that will prove extraordinarily difficult to surpass.

He is Argentina's most capped player in history with 207 senior appearances, as well as La Albiceleste's all-time top goalscorer with 125 international goals.

However, Messi's journey with Argentina was never one of unbroken success. He previously stepped away from the national team back in 2016, after Argentina suffered yet another Copa America final defeat.

On that occasion, Messi missed his penalty during the shootout against Chile. That loss marked the fourth major final Argentina had failed to win over a nine year period.

Messi later reversed his decision and returned to wear the Argentina jersey. He continued his pursuit, which would eventually deliver the greatest achievements of his international career.

With La Albiceleste, Messi lifted two major senior titles: the Copa America, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. That World Cup trophy marked the end of a lifelong wait for both Messi and the entire nation, following the heartbreak of earlier final defeats.

From Debut To Argentine Football Legend

Messi's story with the national team began in 2005. He made his senior international debut as a 63rd minute substitute in a 2-1 victory over Hungary.

From that moment onwards, Messi developed into the most influential player in the entire history of Argentine football.

He was not only the on-pitch leader, but also the creative heartbeat of the side and the carrier of an entire nation's hope through every major tournament.

At the FIFA World Cup, Messi currently sits second on the all-time tournament goalscoring list with 21 goals, trailing only Kylian Mbappé who holds 22 goals.

Meanwhile on the all-time men's international goalscoring rankings, Messi also occupies second place. Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the top of the list with 146 international goals.

These records only further cement the monumental legacy Messi leaves behind in international football.

Notably, despite being born and raised entirely in Argentina, Messi never made a senior club appearance in his home country.

He left Argentina at the age of 13 to join Barcelona's famous La Masia youth academy, and went on to spend the vast majority of his club career in Europe.

Retirement Decision Following His Father's Passing

Messi's choice to end his international career came during an extremely difficult period in his personal life. His father, Jorge Messi, passed away aged 68 following a long period of illness.

Earlier in August, Messi had publicly confirmed he was reassessing his future plans.
Now, Messi's journey representing Argentina has reached its final chapter.

His club career however remains active. Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) through to the end of the 2028 season.