Lionel Messi has shared an emotional message ahead of his final match for Argentina, posting photos from his last training session with the national team on social media. The 39-year-old captain trained with his teammates at the Argentine Football Association's complex in Ezeiza on Monday, before sharing six photographs from the session. Messi wrote alongside the images and an Argentina flag, "Special moments that I know I'm going to miss."
The photographs showed Messi alongside teammates, members of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff and AFA personnel as Argentina completed preparations for the friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Tuesday's match will mark the end of an international career that began in 2005 and became one of the most decorated in the game's history. Messi enters his final appearance with 207 senior caps and 125 goals for Argentina, both national records.
Argentina have organized a series of tributes around the Benin match, with the occasion designed as a formal farewell to their longtime captain. Around 85,000 spectators are expected at the Monumental, while members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families have also been invited to attend. Scaloni has already described the occasion as one Argentina will never forget, saying the team will miss far more than Messi's footballing ability once he is no longer part of the squad.
Messi's international career included victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. He also helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final before announcing that he would step away from international football. The occasion will be about more than the result for Messi, with Tuesday set to provide Argentine supporters with one final opportunity to see their No. 10 wearing the national-team shirt.
Argentina's meeting with Benin is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. local time at the Monumental. Messi's brief message after Monday's training session offered an early glimpse of the emotions surrounding the end of a 21-year journey with the Albiceleste. The match against Benin will be a special moment for Messi, who has been an integral part of the team for over two decades.
Scaloni's team will miss Messi's leadership and experience, which have been instrumental in their success. Messi's farewell match will be an emotional moment for the team, the fans, and the player himself. The Argentine Football Association has made sure to make the occasion special, with a series of tributes planned around the match.
The match against Benin will mark the end of an era for Argentina, with Messi's retirement leaving a void that will be difficult to fill. Messi's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Argentine players.
Key points
- Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina against Benin on Tuesday.
- Messi has 207 senior caps and 125 goals for Argentina, both national records.
- The match will be a formal farewell to Messi, with 85,000 spectators expected at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
