Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, bringing the 39-year-old captain’s remarkable 21-year international career to an emotional close.
About 85,000 fans are expected at the Monumental to celebrate one of Argentina’s greatest football icons, while millions more will watch the farewell around the world.
Messi, Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer, announced his international retirement in August, saying he had given everything to the national team and that younger players now deserved an opportunity.
The forward joined his teammates for his final training session on Monday at Argentina’s training complex in Ezeiza, ahead of the much-anticipated farewell.
“You can’t ask for more, that’s it,” Nahuel Nieva, a retail worker who took the day off to watch Messi train, told AFP.
Argentina Prepare for Life After Messi
Several members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad are expected to join Messi for his final international match, including Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
Romero is expected to take over as Argentina captain following Messi’s departure, while coach Lionel Scaloni has already begun preparing the team for life without its iconic No. 10.
Argentina’s younger players have shown signs of promise in recent matches. The team defeated Bolivia 4-0 in Cordoba before recording a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental.
Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni both scored their first international goals in that victory.
Messi will leave the national team with 207 international appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists.
A Career Filled With Major Titles
Messi’s greatest achievement with Argentina came in 2022, when he led the team to World Cup glory in Qatar, ending the country’s 36-year wait for the trophy.
The triumph further cemented his status alongside Diego Maradona as one of Argentina’s most celebrated football figures.
His international honours also include the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, the 2008 Olympic football gold medal, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles and the 2022 Finalissima.
His journey with Argentina was not without disappointment. The team lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and suffered back-to-back Copa America final defeats, including against Chile in 2016.
Messi’s Club Career Continues
Although his international career is coming to an end, Messi remains active at club level with Inter Miami, where he is under contract until 2028.
However, questions remain over how long he intends to continue playing. His father, Jorge Messi, died two months ago, adding another emotional dimension to a period of major change in the football star’s career.
Who Will Wear Argentina’s No. 10?
One of the immediate questions facing Argentina is who will eventually inherit Messi’s famous No. 10 shirt.
Scaloni has said the number will not be given to another player until after Messi’s farewell match.
“Until Leo’s game, we won’t give the number 10 to anyone,” Scaloni said. “After that, we’ll see.”
As Argentina prepares to move into a new era, Tuesday’s match against Benin will offer fans one final opportunity to see Messi wear the famous blue and white shirt.
