Lionel Messi has joined Argentina’s national team ahead of what is expected to be his final appearance in the country’s iconic sky-blue and white shirt. The World Cup-winning captain arrived in Buenos Aires and trained with his team-mates at the Ezeiza training centre as the squad continued preparations for the much-anticipated meeting with Benin.
Argentina are scheduled to face Benin at the Monumental Stadium early on Wednesday, 7 October, Bangladesh time. The fixture is expected to mark the end of Messi’s international career with Argentina, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter that has included some of the most significant achievements in the country’s recent football history.
Messi arrived in his hometown of Rosario two days before linking up with the national squad. He subsequently travelled to Buenos Aires and joined the training camp, where he took part in the team’s preparations for the farewell fixture.
The Argentine captain’s arrival has naturally become the main focus ahead of the match. While Argentina will still be expected to approach the fixture competitively, the occasion will carry an added emotional weight because of Messi’s expected final appearance.
A special tribute has also been arranged for the occasion. A commemorative shirt has been prepared for Messi, featuring Argentina’s traditional sky-blue and white vertical design. The central white section will carry the sun emblem associated with the national flag.
Messi’s name and his famous number 10 will appear in gold on the shirt. The number has become inseparable from Messi’s identity with Argentina and is one of the most recognisable symbols of his international career.
The special shirt will be preserved in Messi’s personal museum after the match. It will be placed alongside the trophies and personal achievements that document his extraordinary career. The final-match shirt will therefore become a permanent piece of memorabilia from his time with the national team.
Argentina held a training session at 6pm local time yesterday as preparations continued. The squad are scheduled to train for the final time today, Monday, 5 October, before facing Benin.
Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni are also expected to speak to the media before the match. Their comments will be closely watched as anticipation builds around the captain’s farewell.
Messi’s journey with Argentina has been marked by both difficult periods and historic success. After years of pursuing a major international title, he eventually helped Argentina lift the Copa América and later captained the side to the 2022 World Cup triumph. That victory became a defining moment in his career and further strengthened his place in Argentine football history.
Now, the focus is on one final appearance. When Messi walks on to the pitch at the Monumental Stadium against Benin, the occasion will be about far more than the result.
For millions of Argentina supporters, it will be an opportunity to watch their captain wear the national shirt for what is expected to be the final time. The special gold lettering, the number 10 and the familiar sky-blue and white colours will all add to an occasion likely to be remembered long after the final whistle.
