Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has returned to his homeland of Argentina to don the national team jersey one final time in a ceremonial farewell match organized by the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Messi arrived in his hometown of Rosario via private jet from Miami accompanied by his family ahead of Tuesday's international friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires. The match serves as a dedicated tribute to give the legendary forward a fitting home send-off following his formal announcement of international retirement on August 31. Many members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup championship squad are assembling in Buenos Aires to celebrate Messi’s storied international career, though AS Roma stars Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will be absent after their club declined release permissions. Having led La Albiceleste to back-to-back World Cup finals in 2014 and 2026, Tuesday's exhibition against Benin will mark Messi's final appearance in the iconic blue-and-white jersey before Argentine supporters.
Messi arrived in his hometown of Rosario via private jet from Miami accompanied by his family ahead of Tuesday's international friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires. The match serves as a dedicated tribute to give the legendary forward a fitting home send-off following his formal announcement of international retirement on August 31. Many members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup championship squad are assembling in Buenos Aires to celebrate Messi’s storied international career, though AS Roma stars Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will be absent after their club declined release permissions. Having led La Albiceleste to back-to-back World Cup finals in 2014 and 2026, Tuesday's exhibition against Benin will mark Messi's final appearance in the iconic blue-and-white jersey before Argentine supporters.
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