Are you ready for Messi’s last match?

For more than two decades, Lionel Messi has been at the heart of Argentina’s football story. On Tuesday, the 39-year-old is set to wear the national team shirt for the final time.

Argentina will face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, in a match being billed as a special farewell to the country’s greatest football icon. The Argentine Football Association has described the occasion as one that will go beyond sport. 

Messi announced his decision to retire from international football after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The farewell match gives him one final opportunity to play in front of an Argentine crowd before closing the international chapter of his career. 

The occasion is expected to be emotional for both Messi and his supporters. Messi recently shared photos of his arrival at the national team camp and his final training sessions, writing about the special moments he knows he will miss. 

His international numbers tell the story of an extraordinary career. Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s record appearance-maker with 207 matches and its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals. He has also provided 68 assists for the national team. 

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

Messi’s relationship with Argentina was not always easy. He faced heavy criticism during the early years of his international career, particularly after several unsuccessful attempts to win a major trophy. He even briefly retired from international football in 2016.

His return changed everything.

Under coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi finally lifted the Copa América in 2021 before leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar. He later added another Copa América title in 2024, completing one of the most remarkable international careers in football history. 

Now comes the final goodbye.

Messi will not be retiring from football altogether. He is continuing his club career with Inter Miami, where he recently scored his 100th goal for the club and helped them win the 2026 Campeones Cup. 

So, are you ready for Messi’s last match for Argentina?

For Argentine fans, it is not simply another friendly. It is the final time they will see their captain and No. 10 walk onto the pitch wearing the shirt he spent 21 years making his own.