Argentina to honor Lionel Messi with nationwide soccer stoppages

Argentina's Lionel Messi will be honored with 10th minute stoppages in domestic matches this weekend in honor of his retirement from international play. He announced Monday that he would end international competition. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Argentina will honor Lionel Messi with 10th-minute stoppages in domestic matches this weekend in response to his retirement from international play. The Argentine Football Association announced the tribute Wednesday night. "It is mandated that, during the upcoming round of matches across all categories and disciplines -- men's and women's (11-a-side, futsal and beach soccer) -- play be paused 10 minutes into the first half to observe one minute of applause in recognition of Lionel Messi's career with the Argentine National Team," the AFA said. Messi wore No. 10 for Argentina throughout nearly his entire international career, and the gesture is meant to match the number he made legendary. Messi, 39, announced Monday that he would retire from international soccer. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner cited his father's recent death for contributing to the decision. Argentina's Lionel Messi is the nation's all-time leading goal scorer. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI The country's all-time leading goal scorer made his senior debut for the national team in 2005. His 34 matches played in the World Cup are the most in tournament history. Argentine soccer officials said Wednesday that stadiums with video screens will broadcast a tribute video for Messi before the start of weekend matches. Argentina's Lionel Messi scored eight times at the 2026 World Cup. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI Liga Profesional de Futbol, the top tier of Argentine soccer, will resume play when Sarmiento faces Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto on Friday in Rio Cuarto. Another two games are on Friday's slate, while 10 top-tier matches will be contested between Saturday and Sunday in Argentina. Newell's Old Boys, Messi's youth squad, will face Central in a Liga Profesional de Futbol match at 1:45 p.m. EDT Sunday in Rosario, where the soccer icon was born June 24, 1987. Argentina's Lionel Messi (L) holds the record for most World Cup appearances, with 34. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI