Lionel Messi will retire from international football today with a farewell friendly against Benin Republic, marking the dawn of a new era for the South American champions. The 39-year-old superstar will hand over the captain’s armband for good as he makes his final appearance in the Albiceleste’s colours at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. He will be joined by 85,000 spectators and several teammates with whom he reached the pinnacle of football at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Messi’s international legacy includes a World Cup title, two Copa América crowns, and the Finalissima. He bows out as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 games, as well as a record 68 assists. His farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina’s ill-tempered World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey, where Messi exited in tears after making little impression.
Messi announced his international retirement in August, stating that he gave it his all and that great young players are coming up who deserve their chance. He remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago.
Members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families will join Messi for today’s farewell against Benin, ranked 93rd in the world. Veterans of that Doha triumph, such as Ángel Di María, who retired from international football in 2024, will witness the passing of the torch to a new generation charged with extending the Albiceleste’s golden era.
Several newcomers, including Franco Mastantuono and Leonel Flores, were not even born when Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that it’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone and that now it’s just about enjoying it. Scaloni is negotiating a contract extension after leaving his future unresolved following the World Cup defeat in July.
Argentina’s new generation has already shown what it can do without its captain, sweeping aside Bolivia 4-0 and routing Burkina Faso 7-0 in recent friendlies. Tenacious centre-back Cristian Romero is set to inherit the captain’s armband, first worn by Messi at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and Lautaro Martínez are next in the captaincy hierarchy.
One small but symbolically significant question remains: who inherits Messi’s number 10 shirt? Scaloni said that they won’t give the number 10 to anyone until Messi’s match takes place, and after that, they’ll see. The future of Argentina is beginning to take shape, with young talents such as Nico Paz and José Manuel ‘Flaco’ López showing their appetite for success.
Key points
- Lionel Messi will retire from international football with a farewell friendly against Benin Republic today.
- Messi bows out as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 games.
- Cristian Romero is set to inherit the captain’s armband, first worn by Messi at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
