Messi set for final Argentina appearance at Monumental

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi is set to make one more appearance in Argentina’s famous blue-and-white shirt, giving millions of fans a final opportunity to see the football icon represent his country on home soil.

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that Messi will return to the national team for a farewell appearance following his remarkable international career.

The 39-year-old is scheduled to play Argentina’s final match against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The occasion is expected to become an emotional celebration of one of the most decorated careers in international football.

AFA president Claudio Tapia said Messi was invited to take part in the farewell fixture after discussions with head coach Lionel Scaloni. The Argentine superstar accepted the invitation, paving the way for what is expected to be a special night for supporters.

Messi has made 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals, establishing himself as the country’s leading international scorer. His international journey reached its defining moment in 2022 when he captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.

That triumph ended Argentina’s long wait for another World Cup title and added the biggest missing trophy to Messi’s collection. His performances throughout the tournament, including in the dramatic final against France, cemented his place at the heart of Argentina’s football history.

Despite the significance of his international career, Messi’s final phase with the national team had not received the farewell many supporters expected. His upcoming appearance at the Monumental is therefore set to provide an opportunity for the player and fans to share a final celebration together.

The ceremony is expected to feature members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families, adding another emotional layer to the occasion.

For Argentine supporters, the match will be about more than the result. It will be a chance to celebrate the player who delivered the country’s long-awaited World Cup triumph and spent years carrying Argentina’s hopes on the international stage.

As Messi prepares to walk onto the Monumental pitch once again, attention will turn to the atmosphere inside the stadium and the reception awaiting a player whose name has become inseparable from Argentina’s modern football story.

The farewell could mark the closing chapter of Messi’s extraordinary international journey, with the Argentine captain once again surrounded by the fans who have followed his career from its earliest days to its greatest triumph.