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ONE LAST TIME! Messi Set for Emotional Final Argentina Appearance

BUENOS AIRES — The moment Argentina fans have dreaded has arrived. Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for the national team when Argentina face Benin at the Monumental on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old captain's farewell marks the end of more than two decades with the Albiceleste. Messi enters his final appearance as Argentina's all-time leading scorer and appearance holder, with 125 goals in 207 international matches.

The Monumental is expected to be packed for a special celebration of the legendary No. 10. Members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families are also expected to join the occasion.

Messi's Argentina journey included painful defeats and years of criticism before he finally delivered the trophies supporters had waited for. He led Argentina to Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 World Cup, transforming his relationship with the nation forever.

Now, after more than 20 years, Argentina will say goodbye to the player who defined a generation.

One final match. One final walk onto the Monumental pitch. One last time in the blue and white.

The match kicks off at 8:00 PM local time in Buenos Aires, 7:00 PM ET and 4:00 PM PT on October 6. For viewers in India, kickoff will be 4:30 AM IST on October 7.

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