By Our Sports Correspondent
BUENOS AIRES — Argentines will bid farewell to Lionel Messi with a huge “thank you” themed send-off in Buenos Aires on Tuesday as the legendary captain ends his more than two-decade international career with a friendly against Benin.
Messi will pull on Argentina’s iconic sky blue-and-white jersey for the last time in a highly-anticipated game before a capacity crowd at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
According to organizers, around 85,000 tickets for the farewell match were sold out in under two hours, highlighting the immense love Argentines have for their greatest ever player.
Millions more around the world are expected to watch the 39-year-old perform his trademark wizardry one last time for his country against opponents ranked 89th by FIFA who have never qualified for a World Cup.
The Argentine Football Association, AFA, said the night will be dedicated to celebrating Messi’s extraordinary contribution to the national team, with a ceremony themed “Thank You, Leo” planned before and after the match.
Messi, who made his international debut in 2005, has enjoyed a storied career with the Albiceleste spanning more than two decades. After years of heartbreak and criticism, he finally led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021 before crowning his career with the FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022, cementing his status as the greatest player of his generation.
Tuesday’s friendly against Benin will not be a competitive fixture, but for fans in Argentina, it carries the weight of a final. It will be the last time they see their captain walk out at the Monumental as an active international player.
AFA President Claudio Tapia described the occasion as a historic moment for Argentine football, saying Messi deserves every tribute for what he has given to the country.
The national team coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to give Messi a full 90 minutes, while several former teammates and World Cup winners are also expected to be present at the stadium to honour him.
For Benin, ranked 89th in the world, the match offers a rare opportunity to share the pitch with one of football’s greatest ever, even as they play the role of supporting cast in Messi’s farewell party.
Messi has not officially announced his retirement from international football, but sources close to the player say Tuesday’s game in Buenos Aires will mark his final appearance for Argentina, bringing an end to an era that saw him score over 100 goals for his country and become its most capped player.
As Buenos Aires prepares for an emotional night, murals of Messi have sprung up across the city, with fans already gathering around the Monumental Stadium chanting his name.
For Argentina, it is more than just a friendly. It is a goodbye to the boy from Rosario who became a national hero and gave them the World Cup they had waited 36 years for.
