Lionel Messi has joined Argentina’s training camp at Ezeiza ahead of Wednesday’s farewell friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental, with the captain preparing to wear the national-team shirt for what is expected to be his final time.
The 39-year-old forward arrived on Monday as Lionel Scaloni’s squad reunited with its captain ahead of an occasion the Argentine Football Association has planned as a tribute to the country’s most decorated footballer.
Argentina enter the match with momentum after convincing victories over Bolivia and Burkina Faso. They beat Bolivia 4-0 before recording a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso. Messi completed his first workout with the squad on Sunday before joining his team-mates for a traditional asado.
The captain will enter Wednesday’s match holding Argentina’s national records for goals and appearances, with 125 goals in 207 caps. His international career has brought the World Cup, two Copa America titles and the Finalissima.
AFA president Claudio Tapia explained why the federation chose to stage the farewell at home.
“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 here in Argentina.”
The match at River Plate’s home ground will draw an expected crowd of 85,000, giving Messi the home farewell Argentina wanted for its captain.
Several familiar faces will share the occasion. Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Otamendi are set to play alongside Messi, while Leandro Paredes will attend from the stands. Paredes cannot play because FIFA handed him a 10-match suspension following the 2026 World Cup final.
Two members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, will miss the occasion after Roma blocked their travel to Argentina.
The hosts will also wear a bespoke one-off kit featuring the Sun of May and laurel branches around Messi’s famous number 10.
Once the match ends, Messi will return to Inter Miami, where he remains under contract through the end of the 2028 MLS campaign.
For Scaloni, the farewell also signals a transition. Argentina must now begin preparing the next generation for its next major tournament cycle.
But Tuesday belongs to Messi. After 21 years with the national team, the Monumental will provide the setting for the captain’s final home appearance in Argentina colours.
