Argentina prepares Buenos Aires farewell for Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, 39, is due to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday in a farewell match against Benin. The Japan Times reported that the game will be staged at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, while Al Jazeera said 85,000 spectators are expected.¹²³

A national-team career closes

The match is set to close an Argentina career that has lasted more than two decades, according to The Japan Times. Argentina’s football authorities did not know Messi’s name when their association with him began, but he went on to become central to the national team across several periods. Sergio Levinsky, the Argentine journalist and author of “Messi and Everything Else”, said: “He went through so many moments that they’re really very different eras”.²³

Al Jazeera lists Messi as Argentina’s leading scorer and record appearance-maker, with 125 goals, 68 assists and 207 games. The outlet said his international honours include the World Cup, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima. France 24 reported that he was Argentina’s captain when the team won the World Cup in 2022.¹²

Messi announced that he would retire from international football before the farewell was arranged, although the reports differ over the timing. Al Jazeera places the announcement in August, while France 24 says it came earlier this month. Explaining his decision, Messi said: “I gave it my all. I have no more to offer, and talented younger players should be given an opportunity.”¹²

A farewell involving past and future

Al Jazeera said players from the Argentina side that won the 2022 World Cup, along with their relatives, will be present. Former teammates and emerging Argentina players are also expected to be present. Among the former players expected to be there is Angel Di Maria, who ended his international career in 2024; 38-year-old vice-captain Nicolas Otamendi will also bid farewell with Messi.¹

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is overseeing the change in leadership. Defender Cristian Romero is set to receive the captain’s armband, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Lautaro Martinez following in the leadership order. According to Al Jazeera, Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were called up only for the game against Benin.¹

The question of Messi’s number 10 shirt will be deferred until the farewell is over. Scaloni said: “No one will be assigned the number 10 before Leo plays his match. After that, we’ll see.” He also said Argentina would address Messi’s absence as a team rather than seek a direct replacement.¹

The next Argentina team

The match comes as younger players take larger roles. Al Jazeera reported that Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni scored their first international goals during Argentina’s recent games. The outlet said Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in its first match since the World Cup final and also recorded a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso.¹

Benin enters the friendly ranked 93rd in the world, according to Al Jazeera. Messi’s departure applies to international football; the outlet reported that his contract with Inter Miami continues through 2028.¹