Lionel Messi was moved on his way to a friendly against Benin, expected to be his final match for Argentina.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi was unable to hold back his emotions several hours before what is expected to be his farewell match for the national team. Sport-Express reported that a video posted on social media shows the footballer wiping away tears on the team bus on its way to the stadium.
In the footage, Messi is seated by a window and wipes his face with a paper tissue. Crowds had gathered along the bus route to greet the team as it headed to the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Argentina are due to play a friendly against Benin there in the early hours of October 7. Sport-Express described the game as Messi’s last in an Argentina shirt. The forward had previously announced his retirement from the national team after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina. According to the source, the team also finished as runners-up in the 2026 tournament.