Argentina unveils commemorative shirt for Messi farewell at El Monumental
The Argentine Football Association has already unveiled the special shirt Lionel Messi will wear in his final international match on October 6 at El Monumental in Buenos Aires. The captain will say goodbye to the national team in a friendly against Benin, closing a career of more than twenty years with the Albiceleste.
Byvarela5 min read
The countdown to Lionel Messi's definitive farewell with the Argentina national team has officially begun. The Albiceleste captain will play his last international match on October 6 at El Monumental in Buenos Aires, in a friendly against Benin designed as a tribute to an incomparable career. The Argentine Football Association has prepared a commemorative shirt for the occasion, already presented by the player himself.
- Messi will play his final match for Argentina on October 6 against Benin at El Monumental.
- The AFA will release a special commemorative shirt for the tribute.
- The Rosario-born star announced his international retirement on August 29 after more than two decades with the Albiceleste.
- His trophy cabinet with Argentina includes a World Cup, two Copa América titles, an Olympic gold medal, and 125 goals in 207 appearances.
- Claudio Tapia confirmed the presence of the Qatar 2022 World Cup winners and their families.
The special shirt for Messi's final match at El Monumental
The AFA will release a limited edition designed to honor the player who transformed the history of Argentine football. Messi shared an image of the kit on his Instagram account with a simple and direct message: "Last match, a shirt for a lifetime." The post, aimed at millions of followers around the world, reinforces the emotional weight of a night that marks a turning point for Argentine sport.
The commemorative shirt becomes an instant collector's item for fans, who will have the chance to take home a tangible memory of the greatest player ever to wear the national jersey.
Messi closes 20 years of history with the Argentina national team
On August 29, Leo Messi officially announced his retirement from the Argentina national team with an emotional message. The decision ended a chapter that began in his youth days and lasted more than two decades, during which he represented his country on 207 occasions and scored 125 goals. Those numbers make him the Albiceleste's all-time top scorer and one of the most decisive figures in international football.
Throughout his career with Argentina, Messi lifted the trophies that eluded him for years: the Qatar 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles, and an Olympic gold medal. His farewell in Buenos Aires closes not only an exceptional sporting career but also an era for South American football.
The farewell against Benin at El Monumental caps a run of friendlies
Argentina will play three friendly matches during this international break: against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. The third of them, scheduled for October 6 at El Monumental, will stage the final tribute to Messi. The River Plate stadium, witness to countless glorious nights of Argentine football, will host the captain's last match in the national shirt.
The game against Benin carries special weight: it will be the first time Messi wears the Albiceleste jersey since the defeat in the World Cup final. Far from the pressure of an official tournament, the friendly will allow Argentine fans to say goodbye to their idol in an atmosphere of celebration and recognition.
The Qatar 2022 World Cup winners will be in the stands
Claudio Tapia, president of the AFA, has confirmed that all of Messi's teammates from the Qatar 2022 World Cup triumph will attend the tribute, together with their families. The presence of Argentine football's golden generation at El Monumental will add even more emotion to a night meant to thank the Rosario-born star for everything he has given to the national team.
The image of Messi lifting the World Cup in Lusail remains etched in the memory of millions of fans. Now, in Buenos Aires, the circle closes with a massive home farewell, surrounded by the players with whom he shared the greatest moment of his career.
How Argentina arrives at Messi's farewell against Benin
The October international break will allow Argentina to close one cycle and begin preparing for a future without their captain. The friendlies against Bolivia and Burkina Faso will give the coaching staff room to rotate and test alternatives before the final match against Benin, where all eyes will be on Messi.
Last match, a shirt for a lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
When and where does Messi play his last match for Argentina?
Messi will play his final match for the Argentina national team on October 6 at El Monumental in Buenos Aires. The opponent will be Benin, in an international friendly organized as a tribute to the Albiceleste captain.
How many goals and appearances has Messi made for Argentina?
Lionel Messi has played 207 matches for Argentina's senior national team and has scored 125 goals. These figures make him the Albiceleste's all-time leading scorer.
What titles has Messi won with the Argentina national team?
With Argentina, Messi has won the Qatar 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles, and an Olympic gold medal. These are the three most important trophies of his international career with the Albiceleste.