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Saturday, 3 October 2026dailybeirut.com
Football
Lionel Messi arrived in Rosario on Friday to prepare for his final international appearance with Argentina, scheduled as a friendly against Benin next Tuesday.
Lionel Messi touched down in Argentina on Friday, marking the beginning of preparations for his final appearance with the national football team. The arrival precedes a scheduled friendly match against Benin in Buenos Aires next Tuesday, which will serve as his farewell game.
The Argentine Football Association stated that the primary objective of the upcoming fixture is to ensure "the best player in the world receives the farewell he deserves in his home country." This match represents the last time Messi will play for the squad he led to victory at the 2022 World Cup.
Messi, who announced his retirement from international duty on August 31, traveled from Miami aboard a private jet accompanied by his family. The aircraft landed in Rosario, a city located approximately 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires.
Several players who were part of the 2022 World Cup-winning roster are expected to join the celebrations. However, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not be present after their club, Roma, refused to release them for the occasion.
Messi’s decision brings an end to a historic international tenure spanning 21 years wearing the Argentine jersey. His legacy includes 125 goals scored for the national team. Beyond the 2022 triumph, he reached two additional World Cup finals: losing to Spain in the 2026 tournament and falling to Germany in 2014.
Messi did not feature in the current international break matches. He was absent when Argentina defeated Bolivia 4-0 last Wednesday. Additionally, he will not participate in the friendly against Burkina Faso scheduled for Saturday.
