As the final moments of Lionel Messi’s long international football journey draw near, the atmosphere is becoming increasingly emotional. The World Cup-winning captain is set to play just one more match in the Argentina jersey. On October 6, Messi will take the field for this special match against Benin on home soil. This is not merely a friendly match; it has been organized as the official farewell game for Messi’s international career with Argentina.
A special No. 10 jersey has been created for Messi’s farewell match. The Argentine star recently offered a glimpse of the jersey on his social media. A video shows a pair of boots in the colors of the Argentine flag resting on a sofa, alongside Messi’s familiar No. 10 jersey; the old jersey is then set aside to make way for the new, special one.
The new jersey also features Messi’s signature No. 10, but it boasts several unique characteristics compared to the standard Argentina kit. On the back, Messi’s name and the number 10 are inscribed in gold, with the design of the ‘Sun’ from the Argentine national flag encircling the number. The full design of the front of the jersey has not yet been revealed.
Upon unveiling the jersey, Messi wrote, “The final match. A jersey to keep as a lifelong memento.” This message underscores just how special the moment of stepping onto the pitch in the Argentina jersey for the last time is to him.
The match on October 6 will take place at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is organizing the farewell match with great care. AFA President Claudio Tapia stated that the match is being organized to give Messi—one of the greatest icons of the country’s football—the send-off he deserves. Members of the 2022 World Cup-winning Argentine squad have also been invited to the event.
Messi made his debut for the Argentine national team in 2005 and has played in the national jersey for over two decades. The 39-year-old star announced his decision to retire from international football on August 31, 2026. His international career concluded with a record of 125 goals in 207 matches; he holds the national record for both appearances and goals for Argentina.
The greatest achievements of Messi’s international career include winning the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. He played a pivotal role in Argentina’s title victory by defeating France in the 2022 World Cup. Messi also competed in the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final.
Now, Messi is set to take the field to write the final chapter of that long international journey. He will wear a special number 10 jersey in the match against Benin on October 6. With the conclusion of this match, Messi’s long journey in the Argentina jersey will officially come to an end. However, the records he set, the World Cup triumph, and countless memorable moments will remain etched in the hearts of fans for a long time.
