Lionel Messi will be afforded the love and respect of Argentina on Tuesday night when he plays his final game for his country.
Messi will don the sky blue and white stripes for the final time in his farewell game against Benin in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old announced his intention to walk away from international football on August 31, not long after the acrimonious defeat in the World Cup final to Spain and the death of his father Jorge.
Messi was not considered for the two previous games in this international break, wins against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, but will lead the team out tomorrow at the Estadio Monumental before focusing on his club career with Inter Miami.
It promises to be an emotional occasion for team-mates and spectators alike with Messi making 207 appearances and scoring 125 goals in an Argentina career of two halves. The first saw him struggle for acceptance from a public that watched Messi leave for Europe aged 13 and become a focal point for Barcelona.
He struggled to live up to comparisons with Diego Maradona and, following a fourth final defeat in nine years, Messi retired from international football in 2016 after missing in a penalty shoot-out as Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile.
He was persuaded to return but his Argentina career did not really take off until the appointment of Lionel Scaloni as coach. Scaloni found a way to build around Messi and win trophies with two Copas America and, most importantly, the 2022 World Cup all falling Argentina’s way.
The 2026 World Cup was a collective disappointment – Argentina’s behaviour in the final casting a shadow over their run to the final – but Messi shone throughout the tournament despite his advancing years.
Scaloni should be credited for dragging even more out of Messi and he concedes it will be a difficult night on Tuesday. He said: “I imagine Tuesday’s match will be very emotional, for everyone, including Leo, it will be an unforgettable day. It will be his day, and that of his team-mates, who also gave him his greatest footballing joy. I am grateful to be able to enjoy it.”
The only slight disappointment is the fact Argentina could not attract a higher calibre of opposition to mark the occasion.
Benin do, at least, arrive on the back of a win having beaten Mauritania in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations.
Team News for Argentina v Benin
Messi will start, as will long-time international team-mates Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo de Paul and Giovani Lo Celso. Left-back Nicolas Tagliafico is a doubt due to injury. Leandro Paredes and Nanhuel Molina remain suspended.
Benin will be without right-back Abdoul Rachid Moumini.
Expected line-ups for Argentina v Benin
Argentina: Martinez; Giay, Otamendi, Romero, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Paz; Messi, Alvarez
Benin: Djandjinou; Azongnitode, Roche, Tijani, Ourou; Hassane, D’Almeida; Aloko, Olaitan, Ourorou; Tosin
Stats for Argentina v Benin
- This is the first time Argentina and Benin have ever played each other
- Benin will be the 64th different nation Messi has faced for Argentina
- This will be his 29th appearance at the Estadio Monumental. The farewell sold out in under two hours.
- Since the World Cup final, Argentina have scored 11 goals without conceding: 4-0 against Bolivia in Córdoba and 7-0 against Burkina Faso
- Argentina sit 87 places above Benin in the FIFA world rankings
Where to watch Argentina v Benin
Argentina versus Benin kicks off at 12am on Wednesday morning. You can watch it in the UK on Premier Sports and stream via the Premier Sports Player.
Prediction for Argentina v Benin
The outcome is not really important but Messi won’t want to go out on a defeat. Fortunately for him, Benin are not anywhere good enough to challenge Argentina and the hosts should cruise to victory with Messi playing a key role.
Prediction: Argentina 6-0 Benin
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
