Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the World Cup holders face Benin, giving supporters at El Monumental the chance to pay tribute to one of the country’s greatest players.
The match in Buenos Aires will mark the end of Messi’s international career and his final game as Argentina captain. The 39-year-old is the second-highest scorer in World Cup history and has been honoured by the Argentine Football Association ahead of his farewell.
Following Argentina’s final training session on Monday, the former FC Barcelona and PSG player posed for a photograph with his team-mates and the entire national-team staff.
Messi shared the image on Instagram, holding a ball in his hand, alongside the message: “Special moments that, I know, I will miss.”
He made 207 appearances for the Albiceleste and scored 125 goals. During his international career, Messi won numerous trophies, including the 2022 World Cup.
The encounter with Benin’s Cheetahs will provide the Argentine public with one final opportunity to watch Messi represent his country before he brings his international career to a close.