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A Legend’s Farewell: Messi Closes a 21-Year Chapter with Argentina
Lionel Messi is preparing to say goodbye to Argentina, as he takes to the pitch for what is expected to be his final international appearance in the sky-blue-and-white shirt. The match against Benin will be played at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, where he is set to share the occasion with teammates who helped him reach the pinnacle of the game, as well as a new generation ready to carry the team forward.
Around 85,000 fans are expected to witness the farewell to Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, who has netted 125 goals for his country. Messi has made 207 international appearances so far, and the match against Benin would be his 208th.
Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia previously said Messi had been called up so he could receive the send-off he deserves. In late August, the 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football after more than two decades of achievements, including winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
“I gave everything I had, and I have nothing left to give. Besides, there are some wonderful young players who deserve their chance,” wrote Messi, now an Inter Miami star and formerly of Barcelona, when he announced his decision.
His announcement came after a difficult period in his personal life. Deeply affected by the death of his father, Jorge, Messi said he no longer saw himself playing for much longer. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, and I don’t know how to carry on. I’ve only ever played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer,” he said at the time.
## A farewell to champions—and the start of a new era
At River Plate’s Monumental Stadium, members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families will join Messi for the occasion. Among them will be Ángel Di María, who retired from international football in 2024. The match will also symbolise the passing of the torch to a new generation—some of whose players were not yet born when Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005.
Several of the 2022 World Cup champions are expected to feature, including Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. They will be among those tasked with leading Argentina after the departure of its legendary captain. Romero is also expected to take over the captain’s armband, which Messi first wore at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
As Argentina approaches a new chapter, one question remains: who will wear the number 10 shirt? Coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the issue by saying: “We won’t give the number 10 to anyone before Leo’s match. After that, we’ll see.”
