Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina National Team Ahead of Benin Friendly
Lionel Messi is stepping away from international football, concluding a twenty-year career with the Argentina national team that yielded a World Cup title and Copa América victories, Sky Sport reported. The announcement precedes an international friendly match against Benin scheduled for Tuesday night at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Sky Sport confirmed that the fixture kicks off at 1:00 AM Italian time and will broadcast exclusively on Sky Sport, with streaming available on Sky Go and NOW.
The decision follows Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, after which Messi issued a lengthy statement via social media detailing his physical and emotional exhaustion. “I have emptied myself, I no longer have anything else to give,” Messi said in his farewell message. He noted that younger players have arrived to earn their places, adding that he will transition to supporting the squad from the stands.
Travel Difficulties and Team Preparations Ahead of the Monumental Fixture
The fixture marks the first time Benin has faced Argentina in international competition. Preparation for the African side has involved significant logistical hurdles. Benin’s squad endured a 23-hour flight in economy class to reach Buenos Aires, during which a video analyst reportedly lost consciousness. The delegation also encountered substandard hotel conditions upon arrival, including a lack of hot water on their assigned floor and insufficient training equipment.
Benin enters the match under the direction of 73-year-old German coach Gernot Rohr, who took charge in 2023. The squad features notable figures such as captain and record goalscorer Steve Mounié. Mounié, who plays for German club Augsburg, funded his own travel to Argentina despite dealing with an injury. The team also includes goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé of French fourth-division side Chauray and midfielder Sessi D’Almeida of Neftchi Baku.
Comparing the two rosters highlights a stark contrast in preparation and pedigree. While Argentina fields a squad anchored by World Cup winners and European club stars, Benin arrives after a grueling 23-hour transit featuring financial strain and logistical deficiencies. Despite these challenges, Rohr’s side prepares to face the outgoing Argentina captain in front of a crowd in Buenos Aires.
The match also arrives 7,721 days after Messi’s senior debut for Argentina on August 17, 2005, against Hungary. In that match, then-coach José Pekerman introduced Messi as a 64th-minute substitute, only for the forward to receive a straight red card one minute later for an inadvertent arm strike against an opponent. Current Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was part of that 2005 squad and consoled Messi following the dismissal.
Global Tributes Mark the End of an Era for La Pulga
Tributes from across the global game accompanied Messi’s retirement announcement. Brazil forward Neymar offered public praise for his former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. “The football world thanks you for everything,” Neymar stated, calling it an honor to have played alongside him and sharing history at club level.
Messi’s international legacy spans 207 appearances, 125 goals, six World Cup appearances, and victories in Qatar and multiple continental tournaments. Analysts monitoring his career point to his sustained output at the highest levels of club and international play as factors keeping him in contention for future individual honors, such as the Ballon d’Or, as detailed by DAZN.
Frequently Asked Questions About Messi’s Final International Match
Where can viewers watch Argentina versus Benin?
The match is broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sport in Italy, with streaming available through Sky Go and NOW, according to Sky Sport.
How many goals has Lionel Messi scored for Argentina?
Messi concludes his international career with 125 goals across 207 total appearances for the Albiceleste.
Who is managing the Benin national team for this fixture?
German coach Gernot Rohr leads the Benin squad, having taken over the national team position in 2023 following previous stints with Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon.
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