The Argentine Football Association has called off all of the country's matches this weekend following the death Wednesday of former president Nestor Kirchner.
An AFA spokesman said Wednesday all matches from the first division to lower semi-professional leagues would be suspended, including 10 games in the top flight involving high-profile clubs like River Plate and Boca Juniors. It was not clear when the first-division games would now be played.
Kirchner, the husband of current Argentina President Cristina Fernandez, died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was a likely candidate in next year's presidential elections.
''This weekend no official games will be played at any level of the Argentine Football Association,'' the AFA said in a statement.
Argentine athletes from Lionel Messi to former Wimbledon champion David Nalbandian sent messages of condolence.
''Lionel Messi and family together with the Leo Messi Foundation wish to express their profound grief in the death of Nestor Kirchner, and we they share in the sadness and are with President Cristina Fernandez and all of her family,'' Messi said in a statement.
Added Nalbandian in a statement: ''My sincere condolences to the president and the Kirchner family at this moment.''
Similar messages were sent by San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and Sergio Aguero, striker with football club Atletico de Madrid.
