The star Lionel Messi will play his 208th match with the Argentine national team tonight, a friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, marking the end of 21 years of history with the Albiceleste, as reported by the EFE agency.
The event starts at 20:00 local time (23:00 GMT) with tickets sold out for weeks. Coach Lionel Scaloni summed up the collective sentiment with a phrase: “If there had been five Monumentals, they would have been filled.”
Messi arrives at this meeting with 125 goals and 68 assists in 207 previous matches, figures that make him the top scorer, the player with the most appearances, and the one with the most assists in the history of the Albiceleste. His debut was on August 17, 2005, against Hungary in Budapest.
The day started with an unprecedented recognition: the University of Buenos Aires awarded this morning the title of Doctor Honoris Causa, the highest honorary distinction of the institution. In Rosario, his hometown, a giant jersey featuring the number 10 and the word "Gracias" was installed in front of the National Flag Monument, accompanied by an audiovisual show.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has prepared a special ceremony that includes the presence of the world champions from Qatar 2022 and the screening of a tribute video after the final whistle. The team will wear a jersey designed exclusively for the occasion, featuring the "Sun of May" in the center and laurel branches surrounding the number 10.
For those who couldn't get tickets, the AFA opened a Fan Fest at the Ciudad Universitaria of the University of Buenos Aires starting at noon, featuring live music, food stalls, and a big screen.
Messi will start the game, although there are no specifics on how many minutes he will be on the field. All the 2022 world champions will be present, with Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez in goal — who got a special haircut in tribute to the captain — and an attacking line that includes Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
The world of football also joined in the farewell. Neymar Jr posted an emotional message on Instagram: "It's not just Argentina that thanks you; the world is grateful for everything you did for football." The captain of Benin, Mohamed Siyani, was straightforward beforehand: "He is the best in history."
Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31 through a handwritten letter published on Instagram, originally written two days after the defeat against Spain in the final of the 2026 World Cup, but delayed due to the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8, at the age of 68. "I have given everything, I no longer have more to offer, and besides, there are very talented young players coming up who deserve to be here," wrote the star.
His titles with the Albiceleste include the Copa América 2021, the Finalissima 2022, the Qatar World Cup 2022, and the Copa América 2024, in addition to two lost World Cup finals—2014 against Germany and 2026 against Spain—making him the only footballer alongside Cafú to have played in three World Cup finals.
In a video released by Adidas hours before the match, Messi made his own summary of an era: "I gave everything, I leave in peace."
Related videos:
Filed under: