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Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner prepares to say goodbye to international football at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
After more than two decades representing his country, Lionel Messi will walk onto the pitch for Argentina one final time when the world champions face Benin in an international friendly.
The match will be Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina, making him the country’s most-capped player. He is also the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 125 goals, and holds the record for assists with 68.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football following Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Messi said he had given everything for the national team and believed the time had come for a younger generation to take responsibility.
A Career That Changed Argentina’s History
Messi’s international career has taken him from the disappointment of early defeats to one of the greatest periods in Argentina’s football history.
After years of criticism for failing to win a major international trophy, Messi finally lifted the Copa América in 2021 before adding another Copa América title in 2024.
His greatest achievement came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina defeated France on penalties in a dramatic final to give Messi the World Cup trophy that had eluded him for so long.
His final World Cup campaign ended differently.
Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 final, with Messi leaving the pitch in tears. The defeat was followed by his decision to end his international career.
Tuesday’s farewell against Benin will therefore mark the closing of one of the most remarkable chapters in Argentina’s football history. FIFA confirmed that the match at the Monumental was organised specifically to give Messi a farewell in front of his home supporters.
Monumental Ready for Messi’s Farewell
Around 85,000 supporters are expected at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental for the occasion.
Several members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad will be present, while the match also represents the beginning of a new era for the national team.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has made it clear that Messi’s place in the Argentina squad would remain open if the forward ever changed his mind.
But with Messi now formally preparing for his final international appearance, the focus is increasingly turning towards the players who will carry Argentina forward.
Cristian Romero is expected to become one of the team’s leadership figures, while players such as Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez are among those expected to play major roles in the post-Messi era.
The fate of Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt will also be closely watched.
Scaloni previously said the shirt would not be given to another player until after Messi’s farewell.
Messi’s Football Life Will Continue
Although his Argentina career is ending, Messi’s relationship with football is far from over.
He remains under contract with Inter Miami through the 2028 season, meaning his club career is expected to continue after his international retirement.
Beyond playing, however, Messi has increasingly moved into football ownership.
In April, he acquired Spanish club UE Cornellà, which plays in the lower tiers of Spanish football.
Then, on October 1, Messi became the majority owner of Spanish second-division club CD Eldense, although the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from Spain’s Superior Sports Council.
The Eldense acquisition marks Messi’s second Spanish football investment in 2026 and gives him control of a club operating much closer to professional football’s top level.
The club, founded in 1921, is currently battling to avoid relegation from Spain’s second tier.
Could Messi Build a Football Empire?
Messi’s growing involvement in club ownership has fuelled speculation about his ambitions after retirement.
His approach appears different from simply investing money in football clubs. The emerging structure around his projects suggests an interest in developing young players, building clubs and creating a wider football operation.
His ownership of Cornellà provides access to grassroots and youth development, while Eldense gives the project a presence in Spain’s professional game.
Messi and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez have also been involved in Deportivo LSM in Uruguay, which achieved promotion to the country’s third tier during its first season.
There is also a connection to Inter Miami, where Messi is expected to receive an ownership stake as part of his agreement with the MLS club after his playing career ends.
Barcelona and Newell’s Old Boys Remain Special
Despite inevitable speculation about a return to Barcelona or his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, there is currently no indication that either move is central to Messi’s post-playing plans.
His family life is firmly established around Barcelona and Miami, while his growing football investments are increasingly focused on ownership and development.
For now, however, Messi’s attention remains on the next match.
And there may be no more emotional next match than his final appearance for Argentina.
The End of an Era
Messi’s farewell against Benin will bring an extraordinary international career to a close.
From his Argentina debut in 2005 to World Cup champion, Copa América winner and national-team record holder, Messi leaves behind numbers that may stand for generations.
He will leave international football as Argentina’s record appearance-maker, leading scorer and one of the most decorated players in the history of the national team.
But his story in football is unlikely to end at the final whistle.
As Messi prepares to say goodbye to Argentina, a new chapter is already taking shape — one that could see one of football’s greatest players move from being the man on the pitch to becoming a major figure behind the scenes.
Tonight, Argentina says goodbye to Messi the international player. The football world will be watching to see what comes next.
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