Minuto Messi sees matches stopped to honor legend in Argentina

Lionel Messi is beloved in Argentina, so when he announced his retirement from the Argentine national team, tributes were expected.

But there is a difference between club soccer and international soccer, and that was on display over the weekend, with receptions varying to the "minuto Messi" – a minute of applause that the Argentine Football Association mandated be put into place in the 10th minute of every match taking place in any category of Argentine soccer for the next round of matches.

Most matches saw the moment observed as intended, with the referee, players and fans in the stadium clapping while a video honoring Messi played.

That included River Plate fans at the Monumental, where Messi never lost a match in 28 games. Fans also held up drums reading "MESSI 10" with a letter on each, while the stadium's ribbon board read, "Thank you, Messi. The Monumental is your home."

The Copa Argentina match between Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors at a neutral site was one of the first matches to see the measure implemented, leading to a bit of confusion but eventually an understanding of the tribte.

Confusion also reigned for several seconds for San Lorenzo center back Danilo Arboleda, who couldn't believe the whistle had blown when he was about to play a pass, then remembered the match would stop in the 10th minute as fans at the Nuevo Gasómetro applauded Messi's international career.

However, in Messi's hometown of Rosario, the rivalry match between Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys was taking place this weekend. Messi developed at Newell's, and loyalties run deep in the Clásico Rosarino.

Some fans applauded, but many chanted "Fideo, Fideo," the nickname of current Central player Angel Di Maria, who won the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles at Messi's side.

Di Maria applauded his former teammate as fans chanted his name, with the two clubs fighting to a 1-1 draw.

Messi himself was in action over the weekend and also played an emotional match. Atlanta United, managed by Newell's legend Tata Martino, rallied for a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami. The match was not stopped for a minute of applause, but one of the stands at Inter Miami's Nu Stadium already bears Messi's name.

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