Lionel Messi has joined Argentina’s national team ahead of what is expected to be his final appearance in the famous sky-blue and white shirt. The World Cup-winning captain arrived in Buenos Aires and took part in training with his team-mates at the Ezeiza training centre as preparations continued for the farewell match.
Argentina are scheduled to face Benin at the Monumental Stadium early on Wednesday, 7 October, Bangladesh time. The fixture is set to mark the end of Messi’s international journey in Argentina colours, bringing an emotional chapter of his extraordinary career towards a close.
Messi had arrived in his home city of Rosario two days before joining the national team camp. He later travelled to Buenos Aires, where he linked up with his fellow players and began preparations for the match. His presence has added further significance to a fixture that would otherwise have been another international outing for the reigning world champions.
The Argentine Football Association has also planned a special tribute for the captain. A commemorative shirt has been prepared specifically for Messi’s final match. It will retain Argentina’s traditional sky-blue and white vertical design, while the central white section will feature the sun emblem associated with the national flag.
Messi’s name and his iconic number 10 will be displayed in gold, giving the shirt a distinctive appearance intended to reflect the importance of the occasion.
After the match, the special shirt is expected to be preserved in Messi’s personal museum. It will join the collection of trophies, awards and other memorabilia that document the career of one of Argentina’s most celebrated footballers. The final-match shirt will therefore serve as a lasting reminder of his contribution to the national side.
Argentina held a training session at 6pm local time yesterday as the squad continued its preparations. The team are due to complete their final training session today, Monday, 5 October, before facing Benin.
Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni are also expected to speak to the media before the match. Their comments are likely to attract considerable attention as Argentina prepare for the captain’s final appearance.
Messi’s international career has already produced some of the most significant moments in Argentina’s modern football history. His leadership during the country’s successful campaigns has helped cement his status as a central figure in the national team’s story.
Now, the focus turns to the Monumental Stadium. When Messi walks out in the Argentina shirt against Benin, the occasion will carry significance far beyond the result. For supporters, it will be an opportunity to witness the closing moments of an era defined by the number 10.
