By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Football icon Lionel Messi is preparing to bring the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers in history, declaring that he leaves the Argentina national team with a sense of peace and fulfillment ahead of his final match for the world champions.
The 39-year-old captain is expected to make his last appearance in Argentina’s colours on Tuesday when the Albiceleste face Benin Republic at the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match will mark the end of a remarkable 21-year journey that transformed Messi from a teenage prodigy into one of the most celebrated figures in world football.
Speaking ahead of the emotional farewell, Messi reflected on his time with the national team, saying he had given everything for the country he proudly represented throughout his career.
“The moment has arrived. I leave in peace. I gave it my all,” Messi said, expressing gratitude to the millions of supporters who stood by him through triumphs and heartbreaks.
For many Argentine fans, Tuesday's encounter will be more than a football match. It will be a farewell to a player who became the symbol of a generation and delivered some of the greatest moments in the country's sporting history.
Messi's international journey began in 2005 and was marked by years of near misses and painful defeats in major tournaments. Despite criticism and disappointment along the way, he remained committed to the national cause, eventually leading Argentina back to the summit of world football.
His greatest achievements came during the final years of his international career. He captained Argentina to the Copa América title in 2021, ending a long wait for silverware, before guiding the nation to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022. He later helped the team successfully defend its South American crown in 2024, cementing his place among football's all-time greats.
By the time he steps off the pitch for the final time, Messi will have made 208 appearances for Argentina and scored an astonishing 125 goals, both records that underline his extraordinary influence on the national team.
Preparations are already underway for a historic send-off at the Monumental Stadium, where more than 85,000 fans are expected to witness the final chapter of his international story. The Argentine Football Association has reportedly invited members of the country's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families to join the celebrations.
The occasion is expected to be filled with emotion as Messi takes the field wearing the famous No. 10 shirt for the last time. The number has become synonymous with his legacy, and reports suggest it may remain untouched following his departure from international football.
While Messi's future with Argentina is now settled, attention is also turning to his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, whose international career remains unresolved.
At 41, Ronaldo continues to represent Portugal and has not announced any plans to retire from international football. The Portuguese star remains his country's most-capped player and the highest-scoring footballer in men's international football history.
Unlike Messi, however, Ronaldo has yet to reveal when he intends to step away from the national team, leaving fans and observers speculating about how much longer he will continue on the international stage.
The contrast between the two football legends has become increasingly clear. Messi has chosen a definitive farewell after achieving every major honour available, while Ronaldo's next move remains uncertain.
Although his Argentina chapter is ending, Messi is expected to continue playing club football with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he remains one of the sport's biggest attractions.
For Argentina, however, Tuesday's match represents the end of a golden era. As the final whistle approaches, millions of fans across the world will celebrate not just a footballer, but a national hero whose brilliance, resilience and achievements changed the history of Argentine football forever.
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