Lionel Messi has joined the Argentina squad ahead of what is expected to be his final international appearance on home soil. The 39-year-old forward arrived at the team’s Ezeiza training base on Sunday and took part in his first session before the squad gathered for a traditional asado.Argentina will face Benin at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday, with around 85,000 fans expected to attend the special occasion. The team enters the game in strong form after beating Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0.Messi will enter the farewell match with an impressive record of 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina. His international career includes winning the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima.AFA president Claudio Tapia explained why the federation decided to organise the special event, saying: “We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 here in Argentina.”
Argentina stars set for Messi tribute
Several of Messi’s long-time teammates will be there for his final appearance. Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Otamendi are expected to play alongside the Argentina captain.Leandro Paredes will also attend the event from the stands despite serving a 10-match FIFA suspension following the 2026 World Cup final.However, two members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, will miss the occasion. Their club, AS Roma, did not allow them to travel.
Messi’s next chapter
Argentina will wear a special one-off kit for the occasion, featuring the Sun of May and laurel branches around Messi’s famous No. 10.After the match, Messi will return his focus to club football with Inter Miami, where he is contracted until the end of the 2028 MLS season.For Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, the farewell also marks the beginning of a new phase as he looks to develop the next generation of players for the team’s upcoming tournament cycle.
