Argentina to Stop Games in 10th Minute to Honour Messi

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced that football matches across Argentina will be paused in the 10th minute for a one-minute applause in honour of Lionel Messi.

The tribute will take place during the next matchday across men’s and women’s competitions, with the 10th-minute stoppage serving as a symbolic reference to Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt.

The initiative also extends to futsal and beach football, while stadiums with video screens have been instructed to display a tribute video for the Argentine captain.

The first tribute was held during the Copa Argentina clash between Vélez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, where play was stopped around the 10-minute mark as players and supporters applauded Messi.

Messi recently announced his retirement from the Argentina national team after a record-breaking international career. He leaves as Argentina’s all-time leading appearance-maker with 207 caps and top scorer with 125 goals.

The tribute gives Argentine football fans an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of the 39-year-old forward and his contribution to the national team.