Buenos Aires is preparing for a farewell shaped by two decades of Lionel Messi in Argentina colours. The 39-year-old will make his final appearance for the Albiceleste against Benin at the Estadio Monumental on 6 October, ending an international career that began 20 years ago.
Key takeaways
- Messi confirmed his departure from the Argentina national team in an emotional Adidas Football video.
- Argentina will host Benin at the Monumental in the team’s final fixture of this international window.
- The forward is set to finish with 208 caps, 125 goals and 68 assists before the Benin match is included.
- His Argentina career has brought four trophies and appearances in numerous finals.
- The 85,000-capacity Monumental is expected to be full, while supporters are also planning to gather around the Obelisk.
A final message before Benin
In footage tracing moments from his different eras with the national side, Messi delivered a brief message to Argentina supporters. “The time has come,” he said. “I leave in peace because I gave everything. This shirt was my dream, my pride and my life. Thank you for loving me so much. I will miss you.”
The match against Benin will be the final outing of Lionel Scaloni’s squad during the current FIFA window. For Messi, it will close a chapter defined by the weight of expectation around Argentina’s number 10 and, ultimately, by a collection of major international successes.
His listed record before the fixture stands at 208 appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists. Those totals could still rise in the farewell match, which will also bring down the curtain on a run that included multiple finals and four titles with the senior national team.
Ezeiza and the city wait for the goodbye
The build-up has already carried the mood of a national occasion. Argentina trained at the Ezeiza complex, now named the Lionel Andrés Messi Training Ground, for what is expected to be his last preparation session in the national shirt.
Messi arrived at the camp after spending several days in his hometown of Rosario. Video from training showed him joining his teammates in a relaxed rondo, with smiles across the group before the scale of the occasion reaches the Monumental.
The stadium, which holds 85,000 spectators, is expected to be packed for Benin’s visit. Crowds are also anticipated in the streets around River Plate’s ground, while thousands more are expected to assemble at the Obelisk as Buenos Aires marks the final Argentina match of its most enduring footballing figure.
