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Expect plenty of tears in Lionel Messi’s farewell game against Argentina on Tuesday.
The friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires has been dubbed “The Night Nobody Wants to End” as Messi plays for his country for the last time.
“It’s about time,” the 39-year-old soccer icon said as he announced the end of his international career weeks after losing to Spain in the World Cup final.
The Argentine Football Association has encouraged him to make one last appearance for a “deserved farewell” and thousands of fans are expected to show their gratitude at the Estadio Monumental.
The AFA said the match would “transcend sport” and be “full of emotion”.
Messi posted pictures of his last visit to the national team and his last training session on the social network.
Special moments that I know I will miss,” he wrote.
Argentina’s champion Messi, who beat Spain 1-0 in the final in New Jersey in July, did not win back-to-back World Cups.
Four years ago, he achieved his greatest ambition, leading his country to victory in Qatar – imitating fellow Argentine Diego Maradona.
Messi played 207 games for Argentina and finished as the all-time top scorer with 125 goals, 21 of which were in World Cups. He appeared in a record six World Cups alongside his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
He briefly retired from his post with Argentina in 2016, then enjoyed his most successful period with the national team, winning the Copa America in 2021 and ’24, as well as the ’22 World Cup.
He continues at club level with Inter Miami and recently won the Campeones Cup, his fourth trophy with the team.