# Messi's Final Farewell

> Argentines bid thank you as Messi ends 20-year international career.
- Title: Messi's Final Farewell · Buenos Aires Times | Shortify
- Summary: Argentines bid thank you as Messi ends 20-year international career. Argentines celebrate Messi's final international match with a thank you send-off after…
- Keywords: lionel messi, argentina, messi farewell, benin, monumental stadium, argentine football association, university of buenos aires, news, politics, world, Messi's, Final
- Source: Buenos Aires Times — https://batimes.com.ar/news/sports/as-messi-bows-out-argentines-say-thank-you.phtml
- Author: Leila Macor, AFP
- Published: 2026-10-06T21:27:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lionel messi, argentina, messi farewell, benin, monumental stadium, argentine football association, university of buenos aires, news, politics, world
## Messi's Last International Game
Argentines will bid farewell to Lionel Messi with a huge thank you send-off in Buenos Aires on Tuesday as the legendary captain ends his more-than-two-decade international career with a friendly against Benin.
## Sold-Out Stadium
Around 85,000 tickets sold out in under two hours for Messi's final game at the Monumental Stadium.
## Honorary Doctorate
The University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate before the game at the Argentine Football Association headquarters.
## Fan Tribute
Fans unfurled a huge Argentine flag with Messi's image and the slogan: 'The joy of my life.'

> The joy of my life
## Messi's Retirement
Messi retired two-and-a-half months after losing this year's World Cup final to Spain and is under contract with Inter Miami until 2028.
## Team Transition
After the game, the captain's armband will pass to Cristian Romero, but it is unclear who will inherit the number 10 shirt.
## Key takeaway

Argentines celebrate Messi's final international match with a thank you send-off after his 2022 World Cup win.