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Lionel Messi, 39, will wear Argentina's sky-blue-and-white shirt for the last time on Tuesday, ending a 21-year international career in a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match starts at 8 p.m. local time, or 2 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Türkiye.
Around 85,000 fans pack River Plate's stadium, the largest in South America, to say goodbye. Millions more watch on TV.
Messi announced his retirement from international football in August, about two and a half months after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain 1-0 in extra time. "I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance," he wrote.
On Monday, Messi joined his last training session with the team at their complex in Ezeiza, a Buenos Aires suburb named after him. "You can't ask for more, that's it," said Nahuel Nieva, a retail worker who took the day off to watch him train.
This farewell is also personal for Messi. His father, Jorge, died two months ago, and Messi has said he might end his club career earlier than expected. He is still under contract with Inter Miami until 2028.
Messi has scored more national team goals at Monumental than at any other stadium in Argentina. In 28 matches there, he won 22, drew six, and never lost, scoring 19 goals. His first goal at the stadium came in 2008 against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier. He also scored hat-tricks against Bolivia in 2021 and 2024.
Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005. He leaves with national records for 207 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists, as well as the most national team goals by any South American player.
Messi won six trophies with Argentina: the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 2008 Olympic title, Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup. The win in Qatar ended a 36-year wait for a World Cup title. He also faced defeats, including the 2014 World Cup final against Germany, the 2016 Copa America final against Chile, and this year's World Cup final against Spain.
Messi played in six World Cups from 2006 to 2026. He set tournament records with 34 matches and 23 wins. He scored seven goals in 2022 and eight in 2026, finishing with 21 goals, just one behind France's Kylian Mbappe.
Several teammates from the 2022 title-winning team are playing against Benin, including defender Cristian "Cuti" Romero, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, and forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. After the match, Romero will receive the captain's armband.
Coach Lionel Scaloni said the team will try to fill the "void" left by Messi. Without him, Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 in Cordoba and Burkina Faso 7-0 at Monumental, where Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni scored their first international goals.
One question remains: who will wear the number 10 next? "Until Leo's game, we won't give the number 10 to anyone," Scaloni said. "After that, we'll see.
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