‘Goodbye they really deserve’: Lionel Messi joins Argentina camp ahead of emotional swan song

Lionel Messi will play his last game for Argentina (File Photo) Lionel Messi has joined the Argentina squad ahead of what is expected to be his final international appearance on home soil. The 39-year-old forward arrived at the team’s Ezeiza training base on Sunday and took part in his first training session before the squad gathered for the traditional asado.Argentina take on Benin at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday and around 85,000 fans are expected to attend the special occasion. The team enters the game in strong form after beating Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0.Messi enters the farewell match with an impressive record of 125 goals in 207 games for Argentina. His international career includes winning the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles and a Finalissima.AFA President Claudio Tapia explained why the federation decided to hold the special event, saying: “We have decided to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, to give him the farewell he deserves here in Argentina on October 6.”

Argentina’s stars are set to pay tribute to Messi

Several of Messi’s longtime teammates will be in attendance for his final appearance. Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Otamendi should play alongside the Argentine captain.Leandro Paredes will also take part in the action from the stands despite serving a 10-match FIFA ban following the 2026 World Cup finals.However, two members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winning squad, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, will miss the opportunity. Their club AS Rome did not allow them to travel.

Messi’s next chapter

Argentina will wear a special one-off kit for the occasion, featuring the May sun and laurel branches around Messi’s famous 10.After the match, Messi will return to club football with Inter Miami, where he is under contract until the end of the 2028 MLS season.For Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, the farewell also marks the start of a new phase as he looks to develop the next generation of players for the team’s upcoming tournament cycle.