Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina as the 39-year-old captain receives an emotional farewell from about 85,000 fans at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium.
The friendly against Benin marks the end of Messi’s 21-year international career, bringing down the curtain on one of the most decorated careers in international football.
Messi, Argentina’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer, has made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for the national team, with 68 assists.
“I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote when announcing his international retirement two months ago.
The Inter Miami forward recently completed his final training session with Argentina at the team’s complex in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires.
Fans have travelled to witness the final appearance of a player widely regarded as one of football’s greatest ever.
“You can’t ask for more, that’s it,” Nahuel Nieva, a fan who took the day off work to watch Messi train, says.
Messi leaves behind a remarkable international legacy. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, ending the country’s 36-year wait for football’s biggest prize.
He also helped Argentina win the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2008 Olympic gold medal and the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged the challenge of replacing the veteran forward but says the national team has promising young players ready to step up.
Argentina have already shown signs of life without Messi, beating Bolivia 4-0 before thrashing Burkina Faso 7-0 in recent matches.
Youngsters Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni both score their first international goals against Burkina Faso, strengthening hopes for the post-Messi era.
Several of Messi’s former World Cup-winning teammates, including Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, are expected to feature against Benin.
Romero will take over the captain’s armband after Messi’s departure.
Messi’s future at club level also remains uncertain. He is under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, but has suggested he could retire from football earlier than expected following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier this year.
The identity of Argentina’s next number 10 also remains undecided.
“Until Leo’s game, we won’t give the number 10 to anyone. After that, we’ll see,” Scaloni says.
For Argentina, the match is more than a friendly. It is the final chapter of Messi’s extraordinary international story.
