Lionel Messi will pull on the Argentina shirt one last time. The 39-year-old, who announced his international retirement in August after two decades and a trophy haul that includes the 2022 World Cup and Copa America wins in 2021 and 2024, has been named in the squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6 — his official farewell match.
The venue could hardly be bigger: River Plate's Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which holds 85,000. Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia said the federation invited Messi so he could get the send-off he deserves on home soil, and he has asked every member of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad to be there too. It should be Messi's 208th and final cap; he leaves as Argentina's all-time top scorer with 125 goals.
The Benin game is the third in a series of friendlies. Argentina first face Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30 — their first match since losing the World Cup final to Spain — then meet Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.
There's some off-field context worth knowing. FIFA has ordered Argentina's next home match to be played at 50% capacity as punishment for a political banner several players displayed after the World Cup semifinal win over England in July. The October friendlies will also count towards suspensions for Leandro Paredes (10 matches), Nahuel Molina (seven) and Thiago Almada (one). Messi, meanwhile, has spoken openly about questioning how much longer he'll play at all following the death of his father Jorge last month, though his contract with Inter Miami runs through the 2028 season.
For travellers, this is a rare convergence: one of football's greatest players saying goodbye in one of South America's most atmospheric stadiums, during Buenos Aires' spring. Even if tickets prove hard to secure, the city around the Monumental — the Palermo bars, the San Telm markets, the riverfront in Nunez — makes the first week of October a strong time to be in town. Expect the city to be awash in sky blue and white, and expect the Benin match to feel more like a festival than a friendly. If you're planning a trip, booking flights and accommodation early is wise; farewell nights like this don't come around twice.
Credit: Daily Sabah Travel