Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a friendly at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, bringing an international career of more than two decades to a close.
The 39-year-old captain is expected to receive a farewell in front of more than 85,000 supporters, with several members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad returning for the occasion.
Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolas Otamendi and Giovani Lo Celso are among those expected to attend, alongside younger players who are likely to become central to the national team after Messi’s departure.
Messi enters the match with 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, national records he will extend if he plays. His international honours include the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles, the Finalissima and Olympic gold.
“I gave everything I had; I have nothing more to give, and besides, there are excellent young players coming through, and they deserve to get their opportunity,” Messi said when announcing his international retirement in August.
Coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a player who has been central to Argentina for so long but said the team would remain competitive.
“Messi leaves behind something that has no equal,” Scaloni said. “We have to keep playing, but the feeling of having him on the field is unique.”
Argentina has already shown signs of life beyond its captain. In the two matches Messi missed recently, the team defeated Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0, with players including Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni gaining opportunities.
Tuesday’s match, however, will be dominated by the farewell. Messi has already posted photographs of himself wearing Argentina colours on Instagram, writing that the moments were ones he would miss.
The Argentine Football Association has planned a programme around the game, including musical performances, a drone display and fireworks.
For Argentina, the evening marks the end of an era for a player who spent years carrying the weight of expectations surrounding the national team before finally delivering its biggest prizes.
The match will be Messi’s 208th and final appearance for the Albiceleste, closing a chapter that began with his senior debut more than 20 years ago.
