Football: Lionel Messi's final dance with Argentina
At 39 years old, Lionel Messi is set to play on Tuesday at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, his final match with Argentina, a friendly against Benin that has turned into a national tribute. In front of 85,000 spectators and millions of viewers, the "little flea" will say goodbye after 22 years of an exceptional international career, crowned by a historic World Cup title and a legacy meant to inspire a new generation.
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85,000 lucky fans will have their eyes fixed on the slender figure in the white and sky blue jersey wearing the most iconic number in football. And millions more will be watching from their screens. At 8:00 PM local time (11:00 PM UTC), Lionel Messi will make his final runs, execute his last dribbles and feints, and perhaps score his last goals with Argentina in a stadium more monumental than ever.
The farewell celebration for the captain promises to be spectacular. Argentine media have revealed the main highlights. A special jersey for his teammates, former 2022 World Cup champions like Angel Di Maria in attendance, artists performing on stage before kickoff, gifts, and a tribute video after the final whistle.
A goodbye worthy of the "little flea," in line with his legacy. 207 caps, 125 goals, 65 assists—no one has done better for Argentina, a great football nation that he has brought back to the global summit over more than two decades of service.
A World Cup title, 36 years after Maradona
After long struggling against the wall of failure on the big stage with the Albiceleste, he finally broke through, delivering his country its third World Cup title in 2022, won against France, a victory awaited since 1986 and the triumph of another legend, Diego Maradona.
During his 22 years in the Argentine jersey, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also claimed a U-20 World Cup (2005), an Olympic gold medal (2008), two Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), and a Finalissima (match between the Euro and Copa winners, 2022). This has restored the prestige of a national team that had been thirsty for titles since the late 1990s.
There were also tears, such as after the 2014 World Cup final lost to Germany and the Copa final in 2016 against Chile (after two defeats in 2007 and 2015). In that match, Messi missed his penalty and, upon leaving, announced his retirement before reversing that decision.
The brilliant number 10 also shed tears this summer when his dreams of a second star were dashed against Spain.
The story could not end this way. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni has called the artist for one last lap. Admittedly, it’s a friendly against a modest opponent, Benin (ranked 89th in the FIFA rankings).
“It will be hard not to cry that day”
But it doesn’t matter. “It will be an unforgettable day for everyone. Everyone wants to be present at this match, and we just have to enjoy it (...) It will be hard not to cry that day; it’s a privilege to be here,” Scaloni has already expressed enthusiastically.
In 2004, Messi, at 17, arrived at the Ezeiza training center with his bowl haircut and the Spanish accent inherited from his years of training at Barcelona's La Masia. Twenty-two years later, the star arrived on Sunday for his final gathering and a last asado (barbecue) shared with his teammates.
Among them are some of the 2022 World Cup champions like Emiliano Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernández, and Nicolas Otamendi, 38, who will also play his last international match on Tuesday.
Messi will pass the torch to the new generation represented by Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni. “I have given my all; I have nothing more to offer, and anyway, there are some very talented young players coming up who deserve their place,” the number 10 declared when announcing his international retirement in August.
As for a definitive retirement, that is not yet on the horizon, but the decision could be approaching inexorably. Especially since, although he is under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, Messi has indicated that he might retire sooner than expected, following the death of his father and agent, Jorge, two months ago.
“I don’t know what I will do without you, and I don’t know how to continue. I was just playing football, and now I have many doubts about whether I will continue for much longer,” the number 10 confided.
Gernot Rohr (Benin coach): “An honor for my cheetahs... and me!”
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