Lionel Messi will bring the curtain down on his illustrious Argentina career with a farewell friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old superstar will make his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey, marking the end of an era for the South American champions. Messi's international legacy includes a World Cup title, two Copa America crowns, and the Finalissima. He is Argentina's record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 games.
Messi's farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey. He 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. Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028 but 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, including Angel Di María, will be present for Messi's farewell against Benin, ranked 93rd in the world. The friendly marks a symbolic 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 the farewell match would be an unforgettable day for everyone. He will also say goodbye to 38-year-old vice-captain Nicolas Otamendi, who will likely not represent Argentina again. Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were called up solely for the Benin game, raising the possibility that neither will play for Argentina again.
The new generation of Argentine players has already shown promise, with a 4-0 win against Bolivia in Cordoba and a 7-0 rout of Burkina Faso at the Monumental. 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 Martinez and Lautaro Martinez are next in the captaincy hierarchy.
Scaloni will try to fill the void left by Messi, who is regarded by many as the greatest footballer in history. The coach is negotiating a contract extension after leaving his future unresolved following the World Cup defeat in July. The question remains as to who will inherit Messi's number 10 shirt, with Scaloni stating that a decision will be made after the farewell match.
The farewell match will be attended by 85,000 spectators, providing a fitting tribute to Messi's remarkable career. His achievements with Argentina include a record 68 assists, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players in the country's history. The match will mark the beginning of a new era for Argentina, with a new generation of players ready to take on the challenge.
Key points
- Lionel Messi will retire from international football with a farewell friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
- Messi's international legacy includes a World Cup title, two Copa America crowns, and the Finalissima.
- A new generation of Argentine players, including Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martinez, will take on the challenge of extending the Albiceleste's golden era.
