Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium hosts a farewell unlike any other on Tuesday: Lionel Messi's final match for Argentina, a friendly against Benin that closes out 21 years in the national shirt. More than 85,000 fans filled the stadium after tickets sold out quickly, and the Argentine Football Association turned the night into a full-scale celebration — a 'Gracias, Leo' Fan Fest at Ciudad Universitaria with music, food and a giant screen, plus an on-pitch tribute, a career video and a special jersey inspired by the Argentine flag.
The announcement came on August 31, just weeks after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. In a letter released by the AFA, the 39-year-old Rosario native said the decision had been a long time coming, and that he was retiring with pride in what he had given the jersey. Emotion will run especially high: his father, Jorge Messi, died in early August at 68.
The tributes stretch beyond the capital. In Rosario, his hometown, a giant number 10 jersey reading 'Gracias' was erected in front of the National Flag Memorial, accompanied by an audiovisual show. Inside the Monumental, projections of his best goals preceded kickoff.
The numbers underline why the send-off is national news. Messi signs off as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player: 207 appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists since his debut in 2005. His haul includes the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024 — the latter a 1-0 win over Colombia in Miami. That relationship with fans wasn't always smooth; years of criticism after lost finals only gave way to full adoration following the trophy run of 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Colombia, fittingly for readers of Colombia One, was the opponent Messi faced more than almost anyone else — 13 matches, five wins, six draws and two defeats, with three goals and three assists. The standout chapters: Argentina's 4-2 win at the 2007 Copa America, a 2-1 loss in Bogotá that same year, the 2021 Copa America semifinal decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and that 2024 final in Miami. The teams' last meeting, a 1-1 draw in June 2025, now enters the history books as his final competitive outing against Colombia.
For travellers, this is a reminder of how deeply football is woven into the fabric of Argentine cities. Buenos Aires and Rosario both reward visitors interested in the Messi story year-round — from the Monumental's museum and stadium tours to the murals of Rosario — even after the number 10 pulls on the shirt for the last time.
