Argentina are preparing for an emotional night as Lionel Messi is set to make what is being presented as his final appearance for the national team, with Benin the opposition for the farewell occasion.
The match is expected to carry the atmosphere of a celebration as much as a fixture. Messi, regarded alongside Diego Maradona as the defining figure in Argentina’s football history, has received a wave of tributes in the build-up to the game.
Martínez’s tribute to his captain
Emiliano Martínez has added a personal gesture before the occasion. The Argentina goalkeeper, known for having the national flag shaved into his hair ahead of major matches, chose a different design for this one.
Instead, Martínez asked his barber to place Messi at the centre of the tribute, wearing an “M” and the Messi logo in his hairstyle. It was intended as a thank-you to the veteran forward for the trophies and memorable moments he has helped deliver for the Albiceleste.
For Argentina, the meeting with Benin will therefore be more than a final football appointment for their captain: it will be an evening to honour a player whose international career has shaped an era for the country.
