Lionel Messi is officially set for his final farewell match with Argentina on October 6, when the squad faces Benin in Buenos Aires. It’s truly the end of an era for the 39-year-old legend, who made his retirement from national team duties clear in a social media message back on August 31.
The Toughest Goodbye for Messi and a Nation
When Messi announced he was stepping away from the international stage, his words hit hard: “I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.” Can you even imagine a player saying that? Especially after everything he’s done. This comes weeks after Argentina’s heartbreaking loss to Spain in the World Cup final, a moment that saw Messi fighting back tears on the MetLife Stadium field. Adding to the emotional weight, nearly a month later, his father, Jorge, passed away at 68 after an undisclosed illness. It’s been a heavy season for the global icon, no doubt.
A Legacy Unmatched for the Albiceleste
Messi’s career with Argentina is simply ridiculous: 125 goals in 207 appearances. He led the Albiceleste to two Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, plus three World Cup finals, including that epic win against France in 2022. This farewell match against Benin, happening at the massive Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires with its 85,018 capacity, isn’t just one game; it’s the capstone on an absolutely unbelievable run. Before that, Argentina will take on Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba, and then Burkina Faso on October 3, also at Estadio Monumental, during this extended FIFA international window.
After the 2026 World Cup, Messi returned to his club team, Inter Miami, where he’s still tearing it up, currently second in the Eastern Conference. He leads the league with 19 goals and 32 goal contributions through just 22 games. So, while we’re saying goodbye to him in the Argentina jersey on October 6, you can bet he’s still got that magic on the club level. It’s going to be emotional watching him one last time for his country.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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