Summary
- Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
- After more than two decades with Argentina, Messi will hand over the captain’s armband and make his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey.
- His farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup final defeat by Spain in New Jersey, where Messi left the field in tears.
Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The match will bring the curtain down on Messi’s 21-year international career, with more than 85,000 fans expected to attend alongside members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad.
Messi will bow out as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 games and 68 assists.
The Argentine Football Association has billed the occasion as “The Night That No One Wants to End”, while a special kit has been prepared for Messi’s farewell.
The fixture has also been preceded by complaints from the Benin camp over travel and facilities.
After more than two decades with Argentina, Messi will hand over the captain’s armband and make his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey.
His farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup final defeat by Spain in New Jersey, where Messi left the field in tears.
“I gave it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote when announcing his international retirement in August.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028 and has said he could consider ending his club career sooner.
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