Argentina Pauses Football Nationwide to Honour Lionel Messi’s Iconic No. 10

Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football has left an enormous void in Argentina, with tributes pouring in for one of the greatest players in football history.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner decided to end his international career after the 2026 World Cup final, although he took some time before formally announcing his retirement.

The Argentina Football Association has now planned a special tribute for its former captain, who guided the national team to the 2022 World Cup title and multiple Copa America triumphs. This weekend, matches across all divisions of Argentine football will pause in the 10th minute for a one-minute ovation in honour of Messi and his extraordinary international career.

The farewell has already begun. During the Boca Juniors vs Velez match, play was halted in the 10th minute as fans rose to applaud the Argentine legend following his decision to retire from international football. The tribute marked the beginning of a weekend-long celebration of Messi’s contribution to the national team and his iconic No. 10 shirt.

Javier Milei calls Messi’s retirement a ‘huge loss’

Argentine President Javier Milei has described Messi’s retirement as a “huge loss” for the national team while acknowledging that the decision was understandable.

Speaking to Radio El Observador, as quoted by TyC Sports, Milei said Argentina faces a major challenge as it prepares to move forward without its iconic captain.

“Messi’s decision to stop wearing the sky blue and white jersey is a huge loss,” Milei said, adding that the decision “is completely understandable”.

Paying tribute to Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Argentine football, Milei added: “He left us with so much magic.”

Messi dominated in his final World Cup

Messi ended a remarkable two-decade international career after making his Argentina debut in 2005. He became the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, finishing with 203 appearances and 124 goals.

His World Cup career spanned six editions, from 2006 to 2026. He scored 21 goals in 34 World Cup appearances, leaving him second on the tournament’s all-time scoring chart behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22 goals.

At the 2026 World Cup, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists, including his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria. He had earlier surpassed Germany great Miroslav Klose’s tally before Mbappe eventually moved ahead of him.

For Argentina, however, Messi’s legacy extends far beyond the numbers. From years of heartbreak to World Cup glory in 2022, he leaves international football as the defining figure of a golden era for the national team.