Mansion Sports – Lionel Messi shared an emotional message ahead of his final match with Argentina, as the national team prepares to host Benin as an official farewell to their captain.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will take to the field for the final time with his country in October wearing a special kit, giving fans one last opportunity to celebrate his historic journey with the national team and their World Cup success.

Emotional Message and Special Adidas Jersey

Messi took to social media to share a heartfelt message ahead of his final appearance with Argentina, simply saying: “One last match. A jersey for a lifetime.”

In a newly released video, he is seen changing from the standard national team kit into a special Adidas Argentina jersey featuring his name and iconic number 10 in gold, before picking up a pair of white boots.

Lionel Scaloni included Messi in the squad to face Benin on October 6 at El Monumental, which has a capacity of 84,000 spectators.

The match will serve as an official tribute to Messi, who announced his retirement from international football in August.

A Painful Retirement Decision

When announcing his retirement, Messi delivered an emotional message to his supporters, explaining how difficult it was to leave the national team after a legendary career that includes 207 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists.

He said: “After some time has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to announce to everyone that I will retire from playing for the national team.”

“It was a painful decision, and it still hurts a lot to this day, but I understand that the time has come.”

“I swear to you that I always gave my best, not only in recent years when we won everything, but also before that.”

Ticket Details for the Farewell Match

Messi also expressed his immense pride in representing his country on the world stage, adding: “I always fought and gave everything on the pitch for this jersey, to bring you happiness and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

For fans who want to witness the historic moment, French media outlet Foot Mercato reported that ticket sales began on Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

The Argentine Football Association set ticket prices ranging from €52 to €278. Additional price categories include €104, €185, and €260, while children can attend the historic farewell match for just €17.

What’s Next for Argentina?

The Argentine Football Association has invited all members of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup to accompany Messi in his farewell match against Benin.

After the final whistle on October 6, Argentina will officially begin a new era without their greatest player, forcing Scaloni to build a new attacking foundation as they prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualification matches.

After a long journey filled with trophies, records, and historic moments, Messi is now preparing to play his final match with Argentina.

The farewell night will be an opportunity for fans to pay their final tribute to the captain who helped his country achieve one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of Argentine football.