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Messi set for final Argentina appearance in Buenos Aires friendly against Benin
En breve
Lionel Messi is preparing to make his final appearance for Argentina in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The National reported all 85,018 tickets sold out within two hours, and outlets say the squad will mark the end of a career in which he scored 125 international goals. Messi announced his international retirement after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in July, before the Argentine Football Association persuaded him to play once more.
Leer la noticia completa 2 min de lectura
Lionel Messi is set to wear the Argentina shirt for the last time on Tuesday, in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. Gulf News reported that Messi had arrived in his homeland ahead of what is expected to be his final appearance for the national team, and Emirates 24|7 described him as preparing for his farewell match at the stadium. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The National reported that all 85,018 tickets for the Benin game sold out within two hours, and that the team will wear a bespoke one-off kit, with the 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families invited to join the celebrations. The outlets give the occasion different names: The National calls it “The Last Tango”, while Emirates 24|7 calls it “The Night That No One Wants to End”. Emirates 24|7 reported that the Argentine Football Association, which persuaded Messi to make one final appearance, described the event as one that will “transcend sports” and be “full of emotion”. [ 2 , 3 ]
The National and Emirates 24|7 both put Messi's international goal tally at 125. They differ on his number of caps: The National said the Benin match would be his 208th and final cap, while Emirates 24|7 said he has played 207 matches for Argentina. The National also reported 68 assists, and both outlets cite his trophy record, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the Finalissima. Emirates 24|7 said he appeared in a record-equalling six World Cups. [ 2 , 3 ]
Both The National and Emirates 24|7 reported that Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in July, with Emirates 24|7 giving the score as 1-0, and that Messi announced his international retirement soon afterwards. The National also reported the death of his father, Jorge, 68, following a long illness. Messi said in a post on Instagram that he “always gave everything” and that he would always love being part of the national team, according to The National. [ 2 , 3 ]
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the team's 7-0 friendly win over Burkina Faso, in which Messi did not feature, that Tuesday's game would be emotional for everyone. “It will be his day, and also that of his teammates, who helped give him his greatest joy in soccer,” Gulf News quoted him as saying, with The National carrying a similar quote. Gulf News also quoted fullback Agustin Giay, who said Tuesday would be “a very special, emotional night”, and striker Lautaro Martínez, who said the game “will surely be full of emotion”. [ 1 , 2 ]
Gulf News reported that Messi is expected to have travelled from Rosario to Buenos Aires on Sunday, would join his teammates for an asado that evening and take part in his first training session on Monday. It added that after the match he will turn his attention to Inter Miami, where it said he is under contract through 2029. Emirates 24|7 reported he recently won the Campeones Cup, his fourth trophy with the American club. [ 1 , 3 ]
Por qué importa
The match closes the international career of Argentina's all-time leading scorer, which outlets describe as the most decorated in the country's history. Gulf News reported the squad is using the game as part of preparing for life after its captain, while the ticket sell-out and a one-off kit indicate the scale of public interest in the farewell.
Datos clave
- Messi is set to play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The opponent is Benin, in a friendly; Emirates 24|7 and The National both name Benin, while Gulf News does not name the opponent. [ 2 , 3 ]
- All 85,018 tickets were reported to have sold out within two hours, per The National. [ 2 ]
- Messi's international tally is given as 125 goals by both The National and Emirates 24|7. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in July before Messi announced his international retirement. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Argentine Football Association persuaded Messi to make one final appearance, Emirates 24|7 reported. [ 3 ]
- The National reported a bespoke one-off kit for the occasion and that the 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families were invited. [ 2 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- Messi will make a final Argentina appearance in a friendly at the Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The match is against Benin. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Messi has scored 125 goals for Argentina. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain, after which Messi announced his retirement from international football. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the game would be emotional and would be Messi's day. [ 1 , 2 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- Messi's exact cap count: The National says the Benin game will be his 208th and final cap, while Emirates 24|7 says he has played 207 matches for Argentina. The two outlets give different figures for the same record, and neither reconciles the difference.
- The name of the occasion: The National calls it “The Last Tango”, while Emirates 24|7 calls it “The Night That No One Wants to End”. Two outlets use different names for the same match, so the documents do not establish one official title.
- Details of Messi's arrival and training schedule appear only in Gulf News, which says he travelled from Rosario to Buenos Aires on Sunday and would train with the squad on Monday. Single-source claim reported as expectation rather than confirmed fact.
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- Gulf News reports Messi has arrived in Argentina ahead of his expected final appearance, with the match set for Tuesday at the Monumental. [ 1 ]
- The National reports that all 85,018 tickets for the Benin friendly sold out within two hours and that the team will wear a one-off kit. [ 2 ]
- Emirates 24|7 reports that the Argentine Football Association persuaded Messi to make one final appearance and describes the event as one that will “transcend sports”. [ 3 ]