Omotayo Fashola
(Lionel Messi. Photo by BBC News)
Argentina’s football league will honor Lionel Messi’s international retirement with a special tribute during all matches this weekend—play will halt in the 10th minute for a standing ovation.
The iconic number 10, who stepped away from national team duties at 39, concluded his Argentina journey with the 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain in July.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Argentina to glory in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, cementing his legacy as one of football’s greatest.
Referees will pause every match at the 10-minute mark, allowing fans and players alike to applaud his remarkable 207-cap career—the most in Argentina’s history.
With 125 international goals, Messi stands as his nation’s all-time top scorer, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s global record of 146.
His international journey began in 2005 against Hungary, followed by two decades of unmatched brilliance, though not without emotional setbacks—like his brief 2016 retirement after a Copa America final penalty miss.
Despite spending his club career abroad, most notably with Barcelona, Messi remained Argentina’s talisman, scoring 21 World Cup goals, second only to Kylian Mbappé.
The passing of his father, Jorge, in August reinforced his decision to retire internationally, though he will continue dazzling fans with Inter Miami in MLS until 2028.
