Lionel Messi will play his last game for Argentina on Tuesday, marking the end of his 21-year international career. The 39-year-old will take to the field at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, a stadium that will be filled with 85,000 adoring fans. Millions more will be watching on TV as Messi performs in a friendly against Benin. This game brings down the curtain on an illustrious career that has seen Messi become the most-capped player in Argentine history.
Messi announced his international retirement in August, stating that he had given it his all and that there were great young players coming up who deserved their chance. On Monday, he took part in his last training session with the team at the complex that bears his name in the Buenos Aires suburb of Ezeiza. Nahuel Nieva, a retail worker who took the day off work to watch his hero train, said that Messi had given everything and that it was time for him to move on.
Several of Messi's teammates will play in the game against Benin, including defender Cristian "Cuti" Romero, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, and forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. After the game, the captain's armband will pass to Romero. Coach Lionel Scaloni has vowed to try and fill the "void" left by Messi, and the signs from the next generation are auspicious.
Argentina has already played two games since the World Cup final without Messi, thrashing Bolivia 4-0 in a friendly in Cordoba and running rings around Burkina Faso 7-0 at the Monumental stadium. Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni, two of Argentina's brightest new hopes, both scored their first international goals against Burkina Faso.
Messi is not only Argentina's record appearance-maker but also its leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, as well as a record 68 assists. He won the eternal gratitude of Argentines in 2022 when he ended their 36-year World Cup drought in Qatar. During his time with the Albiceleste, Argentina has won several titles, including the 2005 World Youth Champions, 2008 under-23 Olympic champions, and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.
However, Messi's career has not been without its setbacks, including defeats in the 2014 World Cup final, the 2016 Copa America final, and this year's World Cup final. One detail that remains unclear is who will inherit Messi's coveted number 10 jersey, with Scaloni stating that it will not be given to anyone until after Tuesday's game.
Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami until 2028, although he has hinted that he may retire sooner following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago. The sendoff for Messi has been planned for some time, with no effort spared to give him a fitting tribute.
Key points
- Lionel Messi to play his last game for Argentina on Tuesday against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
- Messi is Argentina's record appearance-maker and leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 games.
- The number 10 jersey worn by Messi will not be given to anyone until after Tuesday's game.
