Buenos Aires is preparing for Lionel Messi’s final appearance in Argentina colours, with the Monumental de Núñez set to host Benin on Tuesday and a specially designed shirt placing the country’s symbols around its long-serving number 10.
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Argentina’s farewell kit for Messi retains the familiar sky-blue and white stripes, but adds gold detailing across the occasion-specific design. Gold features on the Argentine Football Association crest, the squad numbers and other finishing elements.
The most prominent image is a large-scale interpretation of the Sun of May, the emblem at the centre of Argentina’s flag. Its design runs across both the front and back of the shirt, giving the jersey a national motif beyond the traditional striping.
There is also a personal touch on the chest: Messi’s own logo replaces the usual performance mark of the kit manufacturer. It is a direct nod to the forward who has worn Argentina’s number 10 for most of his senior international career.
A commemorative badge completes the details. It combines Messi’s shirt number, laurel branches and another Sun of May, continuing the Argentine references throughout the piece.
The national team has also produced a dedicated training shirt for the farewell event. Messi’s final Argentina match will take place at the Monumental, a stadium associated with several major moments from his time with the national side.
A farewell night at the Monumental
Demand for the match has already filled the stadium’s allocation. Tickets sold out within 90 minutes, with prices reaching R$1,600. The Monumental is undergoing work ahead of the occasion, with the venue being prepared to welcome 101,000 supporters.
The special collection went on international sale on 25 September. In Brazil, the match shirt was made available for pre-order at R$664.99, with deliveries expected in November.
