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Argentina's football association plans special tribute to Lionel Messi in domestic league

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Argentina's Football Association plans to pause all domestic league matches in the 10th minute this weekend to honor Lionel Messi.
  • Messi, who announced his international retirement on Aug. 31, played his final match for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
  • The 39-year-old leaves the national team as Argentina's record appearance holder with 207 caps and its leading scorer with 125 goals.

Every match in Argentina's domestic league will pause in the 10th minute this weekend as the country honors Lionel Messi following his retirement from international football.

The Argentine Football Association said referees would stop play at that point as a tribute to Messi's career with La Albiceleste. The choice of the 10th minute reflects the shirt number associated with the star.

"The Argentine Football Association has decided that, as a tribute and in recognition of Lionel Messi's career with the national team, referees will stop matches in the 10th minute in every game," the association said. It also invited supporters to join the tribute.

The Argentine Football Association has decided that, as a tribute and in recognition of Lionel Messi's career with the national team, referees will stop matches in the 10th minute in every game.

· Argentine Football AssociationThe AFA announced the league-wide tribute to Messi.

Messi announced his retirement from international football on Aug. 31. His final appearance for Argentina came in July's 2026 World Cup final against Spain, closing a long national-team career.

At 39, Messi holds Argentina's records for appearances and goals, with 207 caps and 125 goals. He helped the team win two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His latest retirement decision is not his first: he also announced his international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile.

We look forward to your presence on the field. Join us in this tribute.

· Argentine Football AssociationThe association invited supporters to take part in the celebration.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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