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Football fans paid a touching tribute to Lionel Messi during a Copa Argentina match following his international retirement.
Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty earlier this week, with the 2026 World Cup final proving to be his final game for the national team.
Emotional Messi tribute
Following the announcement, the Argentine Football Association revealed that all domestic matches would be paused in the 10th minute this weekend to honour Messi.
“In tribute and homage to Lionel Messi's career with the Argentina national team, at the 10th minute of play in all matches the referees will stop the game and a general minute of applause will be held,” they said.
“We look forward to seeing you on the fields – join us in this recognition!”
During Thursday's clash between Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, fans loudly chanted Messi's name when the game was paused in the 10th minute.
It was an emotional tribute to the 39-year-old, highlighting just how revered he is in his home country after such a storied career that saw him fire them to World Cup glory in 2022.
MINUTO 10 Y PARTIDO DETENIDO PARA HOMENAJEAR A MESSI
Zunino detuvo el juego entre Boca y Vélez para ovacionar al Capitán, que anunció su retiro de la Selección Argentina. #CopaArgentinaEnTyCSports. pic.twitter.com/NawG4igUOe
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) September 3, 2026
When he announced his international retirement, Messi stated that he has “nothing left to give” Argentina and bows out as their all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker.
Messi said: “After the time that has passed since the final, thinking a lot, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team. It is a decision that hurts my soul but I know it is time.
“I can say for sure that I always gave everything, not only in the last few years when we won everything [but] before as well, and I always fought and gave everything for the shirt, to give you joy and make you proud of being Argentinian through football.
“There’s not long left and chapters are coming to an end – and this is one that hurts me a lot. I love, have loved and I will always love being part of the national team.
“I have emptied myself: now I have nothing more to give and, besides, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be [selected].”
FGG Says: A powerful moment
Messi's decision to retire from international football has not come as a surprise given he will be 43 by the time of the next World Cup, but the reaction to his decision shows just how revered he is in Argentina.
Messi has pretty much done it all for Argentina, winning the World Cup and two Copa Americas while claiming a slew of individual honours in the process.