One last match. The lifetime jersey". In just a few short words, Lionel Messi evoked a journey that lasted more than two decades with the Argentine national team.
On October 6th, Messi will step onto El Monumental for the last time in the national team jersey, when Argentina faces Benin. Lionel Scaloni has put the captain's name on the squad list, opening a moment that tens of thousands of fans in the stands probably don't want to witness.
Messi will wear a special Adidas shirt for Argentina. The name and number 10 are printed in yellow as a special mark for the farewell day. No need for too many introductions, just that image alone is enough to remind of a symbol that was associated with the Argentine team in the most glorious years.
At the age of 39, Messi is preparing to close his international career with 207 appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists. Those numbers are already huge, but perhaps it is still not enough to tell the whole story about him in the Argentina shirt.
Because Messi used to have very different years.
He once entered the finals with hope and then left the field in disappointment. Once endured criticism when Argentina continuously missed the title. Once announced his retirement from the national team after the defeat at Copa America 2016, before returning.
Then everything changed.
Copa America 2021, Finalissima 2022 and the peak of the 2022 World Cup have turned Messi's journey with Argentina into a nearly complete story. The captain finally raised the trophy that he and the whole country had waited for for too long.
Therefore, the decision to retire from the national team is even more difficult. "After a period of time since the World Cup final and after careful consideration, I want to announce to everyone that I will retire from the national team. It was a difficult decision and still deeply hurt me, but I understand that the time has come" - Messi once shared.
Behind the titles is a special relationship between Messi and the blue and white shirt. He has never considered wearing the Argentine shirt simply as a task. It is pride, pressure and also motivation to bring him back after times that seemed impossible to continue.
I always fight and dedicate myself on the pitch for this shirt, to bring joy to you and make you proud to be Argentinians through football" - Messi said.
The match against Benin will not just be a normal match for Argentina. It is like closing a special chapter, where Messi has been the main character for many years.
After that match, Argentina will have to learn how to move forward without number 10. Scaloni will have to build a new attack, find new leaders and prepare for the team in the post-Messi era.
That is a story of the future. And currently, Argentine fans still have one last chance to see Messi standing in the middle of the field, wearing the familiar blue and white shirt and number 10.
A final match. A lifetime jersey. And a worthy farewell to the hero who brought Argentina back to the top of the world.
