•Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has said he is leaving the Argentina national team “in peace” as he prepares to make his final appearance for the country against Benin Republic at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires today.
“The moment has arrived. I leave in peace, I gave it my all,” Messi said, according to football journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“This shirt was my dream, my pride, and my life for years,” the Argentina captain added.
Messi also expressed gratitude to the supporters who have backed him throughout his international career.
“Thank you for loving me so much, thank you for your support. I will always carry you with me,” he said.
The 39-year-old had announced in August that he would retire from international football, bringing to an end one of the most decorated careers in the history of the Argentina national team.
Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. Tuesday’s match against Benin Republic will be his 208th appearance for the Albiceleste.
His international career began in 2005 and included several difficult years in which Argentina suffered defeats in major finals before Messi eventually helped the country end its long wait for major international honours.
He captained Argentina to the Copa América title in 2021, successfully defended the title in 2024 and, most significantly, led the team to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
His final appearance is expected to be marked by a special ceremony at the Monumental, where more than 85,000 supporters are expected to attend.
The Argentine Football Association has also invited members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families to the occasion.
Argentina are expected to wear a commemorative kit for the match, while Messi will make his final appearance in the iconic No. 10 shirt.
The AFA had previously indicated that the number would not be worn by another player ahead of his farewell.
While Messi’s international future has now been settled, uncertainty continues to surround Cristiano Ronaldo’s next steps with Portugal.
Ronaldo, 41, remains an active member of the Portugal national team and has not announced a retirement from international football. He continues to hold the record as Portugal’s most-capped player and is the leading scorer in men’s international football.
Unlike Messi, however, Ronaldo has yet to formally confirm when he will make his final appearance for Portugal. His continued involvement with the national team means that questions over whether he will feature in future international fixtures are likely to persist until a decision is made.
Ronaldo has previously spoken about retirement and his international future, but no definitive announcement has been made confirming that he is ending his Portugal career at this stage.
The contrast between the two long-time rivals is therefore clear: Messi is preparing for a confirmed farewell to Argentina, while Ronaldo’s international future remains open.
Following his Argentina farewell, Messi is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).
For Argentina, today’s encounter will mark the closing chapter of Messi’s extraordinary international journey, while the football world continues to await clarity on when Ronaldo’s own Portugal story will eventually come to an end.
