Messi's Final Farewell
Lionel Messi Unveils Commemorative Gold Jersey Ahead of Final Argentina Match
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Key Points
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The Benin match is expected to be Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina, adding to his status as the country’s most-capped player; he has also recorded 68 international assists.
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Messi’s farewell comes after a long period of international disappointment: he lost the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals before helping Argentina end a 28-year major-trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América.
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Argentina’s October 6 farewell is part of a three-match home friendly schedule that also includes Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba and Burkina Faso on October 3 at River Plate’s stadium.
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Messi’s international career began with his senior debut in 2005 and included a brief retirement in 2016–17 after Argentina’s Copa América final defeat, before he returned to the national team.
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Beyond his senior-team titles, Messi won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, Olympic gold with Argentina in Beijing in 2008, and the 2022 Finalissima against the European champions.
Lionel Messi unveiled a gold-trimmed Argentina jersey on September 21 ahead of his final international match against Benin on October 6 at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium. Africa Top Sports reported that the special Adidas kit features sky-blue and white colors, gold lettering, a gold-trimmed crest with three stars, Messi's personal M emblem, and Sun of May-inspired details. Messi called it "a jersey for a lifetime" as he prepares to end his 21-year international career.
The 39-year-old retires as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and 68 assists across 207 caps. Clutch Points confirmed Messi will reach 208 appearances in his farewell match. He won the 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup, and 2024 Copa América before losing to Spain in this year's World Cup final, prompting his retirement decision in late July.
A Career That Ended in Heartbreak Before Glory
Messi's international journey began in 2005 but was marked by crushing defeats. He lost the 2014 World Cup final and consecutive Copa América finals in 2015 and 2016, even briefly retiring in 2016. The losses stung deeply. Argentina had not won a major trophy since 1993—a 28-year drought that weighed on the entire nation.
Everything changed when Messi returned. Yahoo News Malaysia noted that Argentina finally broke through by winning the 2021 Copa América, ending decades of frustration. He then captured the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa América. This year's loss to Spain in the World Cup final provided the final chapter—a bittersweet ending after multiple championships.
Why Adidas Replaced Its Logo With Messi's M
The gold jersey breaks typical design rules. HITC reported that instead of showing Adidas's standard three stripes or logo, the kit displays Messi's personal M emblem—a virtually unprecedented honor in international football. The decision reflects his singular status in Argentine soccer. No other player has received such treatment from an official national kit sponsor.
The jersey also features a gold-trimmed crest with three World Cup stars and Sun of May details inspired by Argentina's flag. Vijesti confirmed that Adidas created the special design exclusively for this farewell match. Fans immediately viewed it as a historic collector's item and symbol of the end of modern football's greatest international career.
Three-Match Schedule Leading to the Farewell
Argentina's tribute to Messi is part of a three-match home friendly stretch. The squad plays Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba without Messi. They then face Burkina Faso on October 3 at Estadio Monumental. Both matches serve as warm-ups before the main event.
The October 6 clash against Benin will draw massive demand. The Monumental Stadium holds 84,000 fans, and ticket prices range from 90,000 to 480,000 Argentine pesos. Vijesti reported that Adidas organized the special jersey release specifically for this occasion, with Messi continuing to play for Inter Miami in MLS after his international retirement.
What Comes Next for Argentina's Football Future
Messi's retirement opens the No. 10 shirt and team leadership to younger players. In his retirement announcement, Messi acknowledged that "great young players coming up deserve to be here." Coach Lionel Scaloni included Messi in the squad specifically for the October 6 tribute match, honoring the captain's legacy one final time.
The farewell represents far more than a soccer match. It marks the symbolic end of Argentina's greatest era and Messi's two-decade quest to bring championships home. After enduring heartbreak and finally tasting glory, the 39-year-old legend will hang up his national team boots with a gold jersey and standing ovation.
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