Lionel Messi completed his final training session with Argentina before the match against Benin, expected to serve as his farewell to the national team. At the Ezeiza training ground, he stood at the end of the line for drills but competed as usual once the ball came out.
About 150 fans waited outside the complex hoping to see the players. Messi trained with Argentina teammates including Rodrigo De Paul, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Enzo Fernández, Giovani Lo Celso, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. Former teammates and his longtime personal aide Pepe Costa also watched the session.
Messi kept a low profile during the warm-up, but contested plays and tried to win during a small-sided ball drill. He later wore a pink bib used to mark the expected starting side, suggesting he could start against Benin. The report said he might play the full match or a substantial part of it, though no official playing-time decision was announced.
The match is scheduled for October 6 at the Monumental stadium. A celebration is due to begin around 5:30 p.m. with cumbia and cuarteto music, the anthem by Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana, a halftime appearance by Gaspar Benegas, and closing performances by Soledad Pastorutti and Ulises Bueno.