The countdown has been under way for some time, and now only the final wait remains. On 6 October, according to Bangladesh time, Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance in an Argentina shirt when the world champions face Benin in a friendly at the Monumental Stadium.
For supporters, the focus is firmly on that final outing rather than what comes next. Messi himself has added to the anticipation by sharing a video on Instagram that offers a glimpse of the special shirt he will wear for his farewell match.
In the video, Messi is seen placing a pair of boots featuring Argentina’s national colours on a sofa. Beside them, his familiar number 10 shirt is hanging on a rack. He then removes the shirt and replaces it with another number 10 jersey, specially designed for the occasion.
The significance of the new shirt is made clear by Messi’s accompanying message: “Last match… a shirt to remember for life. Last battle… an outfit to remember forever.” The design has been created specifically to mark what is expected to be Messi’s final match for the Argentina national team.
The post quickly drew emotional reactions from figures associated with Messi’s remarkable career. Neymar, his former Barcelona team-mate and close friend, responded with applause emojis. Franco Colapinto, Argentina’s Formula One driver, was among the first to comment, writing: “If only you would never leave. I will miss you so much.”
The farewell jersey carries several distinctive details. Its principal colour is light blue, while a white stripe runs vertically down the centre, giving the shirt a recognisably Argentine appearance with a commemorative twist. The back has also been given a special treatment. The players’ names and numbers appear in gold, while the design incorporates the “Sun of May”, one of the most recognisable symbols associated with Argentina.
The special kit has been selected to commemorate Messi’s final match as national team captain and to give his farewell a distinct identity. The choice is also closely tied to the setting of the occasion, with Messi expected to say goodbye to Argentina supporters on home soil.
Before the Benin match, Lionel Scaloni’s side are scheduled to play two other friendlies during the international break. Argentina will face Bolivia in Córdoba on 30 September before meeting Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on 3 October. The fixtures will precede the much-anticipated final appearance against Benin at the Monumental.
Messi announced his retirement from international football on social media last month at the age of 39. Following that announcement, plans emerged for the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to give the World Cup-winning captain a fitting farewell. Holding the final match in Argentina allows Messi to close his international career in front of home supporters, who have followed his journey through years of triumphs and disappointments.
His international career has already secured a place among the defining chapters of Argentine football. Messi eventually led Argentina to major honours, including the Copa América and the 2022 World Cup, transforming the final phase of his national-team career into one marked by silverware after years of near misses.
Interest in the farewell match is also reflected in ticket prices. The AFA has set prices ranging from €52 to €278, depending on the category. Tickets in several categories are priced at €104, €185 and €260, while a special price of €17 has been set for children.
For Argentina supporters, however, the occasion is about more than a friendly fixture. It will mark the closing chapter of Messi’s time in the national shirt. The special number 10 jersey, designed to preserve the memory of the occasion, is intended to become a lasting symbol of the night when one of the greatest figures in Argentine football takes his final bow for the national team.
