Rabat – Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni expects an emotional and “unforgettable” night when Lionel Messi makes his final appearance for the national team against Benin on Tuesday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Messi, 39, will bring his international career to an end in the friendly after more than two decades representing Argentina. The farewell comes after he announced his international retirement following Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final.
“I imagine it will be very emotional for everyone, including Leo,” Scaloni said after Argentina’s 7-0 friendly win over Burkina Faso. “It will be an unforgettable day. It will be his day, and the day of his teammates, who also gave him his greatest footballing joy.”
Scaloni said demand to attend the farewell has been overwhelming.
“If there were five Monumental stadiums, they would all be full,” he said, explaining that he had received messages from people everywhere looking for tickets.
Scaloni: Argentina will miss more than Messi’s football
For Scaloni, Messi’s departure will change the atmosphere surrounding Argentina as much as the team’s football.
“What will remain is the nostalgia because he will no longer be there,” Scaloni said. “It’s not only about football. The national team will continue playing, but the feeling of having him on the pitch is unique.”
The coach said Messi’s influence could be felt by everyone inside a stadium, teammates, opponents and supporters, describing that presence as something he had not experienced with another player.
Scaloni also pointed to Messi’s professionalism throughout his international career, including his willingness to report for duty even when Argentina had little at stake competitively.
He described the captain as an example for younger players because of his preparation, commitment and approach to every match.
Messi’s farewell comes after Argentina prepared for Tuesday’s occasion with a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental. Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored, while Burkina Faso’s Moumouni Diallo registered an own goal.
Argentina will face Benin on Tuesday, October 6, at 8 p.m. local time, with the sold-out Monumental set to host the final chapter of Messi’s international career.
