Lionel Messi set for emotional Argentina farewell against Benin
Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Photo: Getty Images.
By Robert Mutasi
Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old forward will end a remarkable international career in front of about 85,000 supporters, with several members of the Argentina team that won the 2022 World Cup expected to join him for the occasion.
Messi will also share the pitch with a younger generation of players who will take responsibility for Argentina after his departure.
The match will mark the end of more than two decades of international service from Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005.
During that period, he helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima. He leaves the national team as its most capped player and all-time leading scorer.
Messi has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina and has provided a record 68 assists.
His farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina suffered an ill-tempered defeat to Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey. Messi left the field in tears after struggling to influence the match.
The forward announced his international retirement in August, saying he had given everything to the national team and believed younger players deserved an opportunity.
Messi remains contracted to Inter Miami until 2028, although he has also indicated that his playing career could end earlier following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago.
Former teammates return
Argentina will use Tuesday’s match to celebrate the players who helped deliver the country’s third World Cup title.
Members of the 2022 squad and their families will attend the farewell, with former captain Angel Di Maria among those expected at the Monumental. Di Maria retired from international football in 2024.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni described the occasion as a special moment for the team and supporters.
“It’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone. Everyone wants to be at this match, and now it’s just about enjoying it,” Scaloni said.
Scaloni will also oversee potential farewells for several experienced players. Vice-captain Nicolas Otamendi, 38, is among those whose international future is uncertain.
Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were also selected specifically for the Benin fixture, leaving questions over whether they will feature for Argentina again.
Romero leads next generation
Argentina has already started preparing for life without Messi.
Cristian Romero is expected to take over the captaincy after Messi’s departure. The Tottenham defender has emerged as one of the leading figures in the squad and could become the main voice of the next generation.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Lautaro Martinez also remain in the leadership group.
Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among the established players expected to guide the younger members of the squad.
Argentina has already demonstrated its strength beyond Messi. The team defeated Bolivia 4-0 in Cordoba in its first match after the World Cup final, with Nico Paz and Jose Manuel Lopez among the scorers.
The champions then produced another commanding display at the Monumental, beating Burkina Faso 7-0. Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni both scored their first international goals.
Mastantuono and Leonel Flores represent a generation that grew up watching Messi rather than playing alongside him. Some of the newcomers were not even born when the Argentine made his international debut.
Scaloni now faces the task of building a team capable of maintaining Argentina’s success without its greatest star.
“Collectively, we will try to fill the void left by Leo,” Scaloni said.
One question will remain after Messi’s final appearance: who will wear Argentina’s famous number 10 shirt?
Scaloni has already confirmed that the shirt will remain untouched until Messi’s farewell.
“We won’t give the number 10 to anyone until Leo’s match takes place. After that, we’ll see,” the coach said.
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