In a rare and unprecedented gesture in international football, play was officially paused ten minutes into Argentina’s fixture against Benin at the Estadio Monumental to deliver a historic tribute to Lionel Messi.
To honour the country’s legendary No. 10 in his final appearance for La Albiceleste, FIFA match officials halted the game as the clock hit the 10-minute mark, prompting a standing ovation from the 85,018 spectators in attendance.
A Standing Ovation at the Monumental
As fireworks illuminated the night sky over Buenos Aires, chants of “Olé, Olé, Olé” echoed throughout the stadium. Messi stood in the centre of the pitch, waving to the emotional crowd alongside his World Cup-winning teammates.
The tribute extended beyond the home supporters and squad, as Benin international players—including CSKA Sofia defender Tamimou Ouorou—joined in the applause to honour one of the greatest players in football history.
Nationwide Recognition for the No. 10
The gesture aligns with a broader initiative by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), which requested pauses in domestic competitions at the 10th minute to acknowledge Messi’s decades-long service to the national team. Tuesday’s match allowed Messi to experience the tribute firsthand on the pitch, wrapping up an international career that yielded 208 caps, 126 goals, two Copa América titles, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy.
