Argentina Awaits an Emotional Farewell for Messi at Monumental

Staff Report: PNN

Argentina is waiting to see Lionel Messi take the field for the final time in the sky-blue and white jersey. On Wednesday (October 7), Argentina will face Benin in a friendly match at the historic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. If everything goes as expected, this is set to be Messi’s final international appearance for the national team.

The 85,000-capacity stadium has already begun to take on a special atmosphere ahead of the match. Argentine supporters are eagerly waiting to witness the final chapter of one of the greatest players in world football’s international career.

Before the farewell match, however, Argentina secured a huge victory. The world champions defeated Burkina Faso 7-0 on Sunday. After the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about the team’s performance, Messi’s farewell and his own future.

Speaking about the emotions surrounding Messi at the Monumental, Scaloni said that even if the stadium had a larger capacity, it would still have been filled. According to him, the day will become special from the moment Messi steps onto the field.

Scaloni said that much has already been said about Messi. Now, he believes, it is time to enjoy the moment of his farewell.

The coach also spoke about Argentina’s future without Messi. In his view, once Messi is no longer with the national team, his absence and the memories surrounding him will be felt even more strongly.

Scaloni did not hide his emotions about the farewell match either. He said that, like Messi, other members of the team would also become emotional on the day. Argentina have two more training sessions with Messi before the match, and Scaloni said he wants to enjoy that time as well.

If Messi takes the field against Benin, his number of international appearances will rise to 208. He has previously played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 goals.

Scaloni also spoke about Messi’s long international career and the legacy he has left behind. In the coach’s eyes, one of Messi’s greatest qualities is his mentality of giving everything he has in every match.

According to Scaloni, Messi would arrive first at team training and leave last. His discipline in taking care of his body, preparing for matches and giving importance to every moment was something his teammates witnessed closely.

In the words of Argentina’s coach, this professionalism is one of Messi’s greatest legacies. It will not be easy to create another example capable of filling his place in the same way.

Therefore, the match against Benin is not simply another international fixture. It is shaping up to be one of the most emotional moments in Argentina’s football history. When Messi wears the national-team jersey and steps onto the field for the final time in front of thousands of supporters at the Monumental, the entire football world will be watching that farewell moment.