An extraordinary chapter in Argentine football is coming to an end as Lionel Messi prepares to wear the national team’s famous sky-blue and white shirt for the final time.
The 39-year-old is expected to receive an emotional farewell on Tuesday when Argentina face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, bringing his remarkable 21-year international career to a close.
Around 85,000 supporters are expected to fill the stadium for what promises to be an emotional night for Argentine football. Messi completed his final training session with the national team on Monday at the training complex in Ezeiza.
A career beyond measure
Messi leaves the Argentina set-up as the country’s most-capped player and its leading goalscorer.
His international journey began in 2005 and included six World Cup appearances, two Copa América triumphs and the ultimate prize — the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
His relationship with Argentine supporters was not always straightforward. Early in his international career, Messi faced heavy criticism whenever Argentina failed to deliver trophies, with some questioning whether he showed the same brilliance for his country as he did at club level.
That narrative changed dramatically during the later years of his career.
Under coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi led Argentina to Copa América glory in 2021 and 2024 before finally ending the country’s long wait for a World Cup triumph in Qatar.
‘I gave it my all’
Messi announced his decision to retire from international football in August, saying he had given everything he could and that a new generation of players deserved an opportunity.
The farewell comes only months after Argentina suffered defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing another major tournament to a painful conclusion for the captain.
Despite ending his international career, Messi’s club career is not necessarily over. He remains contracted to Inter Miami until 2028, although he has recently indicated that developments in his personal life could influence how long he continues playing professionally.
A different kind of farewell
The final match against Benin will be more than an ordinary friendly for Argentina.
It will be an opportunity for supporters to celebrate a player who transformed the country’s football story — from years of frustration and criticism to an era of major international success.
For Messi, the night will close a 21-year journey that began as a teenage prodigy and ends with him leaving the national team as one of the most decorated and revered players in Argentine history.
After more than two decades, Argentina is preparing to say goodbye to its No. 10.
The Messi era is coming to an end.
