Lionel Messi is set to play his final match in the Argentina national team jersey on October 6, during a farewell friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The fixture marks the definitive end of a 22-year international career that produced 125 goals in 207 appearances, a FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, and two Copa América trophies.
An Unprecedented Farewell at Estadio Monumental
Buenos Aires is bracing for an extraordinary night of celebration as 85,000 fans pack the stands at Estadio Monumental. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed that former teammates, including Ángel Di María, will attend the fixture to honour Messi. Players will wear commemorative kits for the occasion, which serves as both a tribute to Messi and the beginning of a wider generational shift for la Albiceleste. Alongside Messi, veterans like Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso are expected to make their final international appearances, prompting Scaloni to emphasize the challenge of filling the collective void.
From Harshest Criticisms to National Adulation
Compounded by comparisons to Diego Maradona and repeated final losses in the Copa América, the friction reached a boiling point in 2016 when a distraught Messi announced his initial international retirement at age 29 after a penalty shootout defeat to Chile. A massive public campaign, and pleas from Maradona convinced him to reverse his decision.
Messi Wins World Cup and Copa América
That victory broke a curse and unlocked a historic run that included a penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final and another Copa América triumph in 2024. Observers in Argentina often noted the psychological shift following the passing of Diego Maradona in 2020, drawing a parallel between the changing of an era and Messi finally capturing the unconditional love of his countrymen.
Fans Queue for Messi Tickets in Buenos Aires
The demand for tickets to Messi’s final dance far exceeded supply. Supporters spent days queuing at distribution points across Buenos Aires after winning online allocations, while thousands more packed the vicinity of Monumental Stadium following a warm-up friendly against Burkina Faso on October 3. International media and local fans alike have turned their focus entirely to the October 6 kickoff, cementing an emotional chapter for global football.
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