BUENOS AIRES - All soccer matches in Argentina this weekend will be paused in the 10th minute for a 60-second round of applause to honour superstar Lionel Messi, the Argentine Football Association announced.

The tribute follows Messi announcing his retirement from the national team on Aug 31.

Messi, 39, has worn the No. 10 jersey most often while representing Argentina.

“For the upcoming matchday across all men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines, matches will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a minute of applause in recognition of Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team,” the AFA announced late on Sept 2.

“Furthermore, stadiums equipped with screens must broadcast the Association’s institutional video prior to the start of the matches.”

The Inter Miami star led Argentina to a runner-up finish in this summer’s World Cup. In eight matches, he had eight goals to bring his final tally to 125 career international goals (21 in World Cups).

“After the time that passed since the final, thinking about it a lot, I want to communicate to everyone that I am retiring from the national team,” Messi wrote on Aug 31 on Instagram.

“It was a decision that hurt and hurts in a soul, but I understand that this is the moment. I swear to you that I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before as well, and I always fought and left everything on the field for this shirt, to give you all joys and make you feel proud to be Argentines through soccer.”

It’s a second retirement for Messi, who originally said he was done with international play after a 2016 Copa America final loss to Chile. But he opted to return and led Argentina to the World Cup championship in 2022 and ...