World Awaits Messi's Final Appearance with Argentina

The Monumental Stadium, home of River Plate in Buenos Aires, will host the final match of legendary player Lionel Messi in an Argentina national team jersey on Wednesday morning, as Lionel Scaloni’s side plays a friendly against Benin.

Messi was called up to the national squad to see him off in the manner he deserves, according to Claudio Tapia, the country’s football federation president, who stated this previously.

In late August, at age 39, Messi decided to retire from the Argentina national team after more than two decades of a passionate career that included winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing the 2026 final in North America, and winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

Tapia said in a video posted on the X platform in mid-September that coach Scaloni decided to call up Messi “so he can receive the farewell he truly deserves... here in Argentina.”

The match against Benin will be Argentina’s third and final game during the current international window, following a 4-0 victory over Bolivia at Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba and a 7-0 win against Burkina Faso at the Monumental Stadium, which will also host Tuesday’s match.

The retirement of the current Inter Miami star, former Barcelona player, and ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward will leave a significant void in world football, which has grown accustomed to the achievements of the Argentine captain since his international debut in 2005.

Lionel played 207 matches for Argentina and remains the team’s all-time top scorer with 125 goals over a 21-year international career.

In this year’s tournament, Messi inspired Argentina to reach the final again, scoring eight goals and providing two key assists, including a standout contribution in the thrilling comeback against England in the semi-finals.

However, the dream of lifting the trophy again ended in the final match, as Argentina lost to Spain at MetLife Stadium.

Messi will now receive his international farewell in front of 85,000 spectators, alongside some of his teammates who reached the pinnacle of football success with him, as well as members of the rising Argentine generation, making the match a symbolic passing of the torch.