Benin ready for Lionel Messi's final Argentina appearance
The Benin national team prepares for a historic friendly against Argentina, marking the final international match in the career of Lionel Messi.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
The small west African nation of Benin is preparing for a rare moment in the spotlight as they travel to Buenos Aires. On Tuesday, they face Argentina in a fixture that serves as the international farewell for Lionel Messi.
For many players in the Benin squad, who play their club football in leagues ranging from Finland to the South African Premiership, this match is a career highlight. Even their injured captain, Steve Mounie of Augsburg, traveled to Argentina at his own expense just to witness the occasion from the sidelines.
When the coach called me and told me about this game, we didn't know it was going to be the last game of Leo Messi. It was like the cherry on top of the cake. It adds some more values to this big event for Benin, and it's going to be a big event for the world of football. Steve Mounie
The match features a specially designed Argentina kit, which experts believe could become one of the most valuable pieces of football memorabilia ever sold. Collectors view the shirt in the same tier as iconic jerseys worn by Diego Maradona or Zinedine Zidane in their final appearances.
A sold-out crowd at the Estadio Monumental is expected to bid farewell to their greatest sports icon. Following the final whistle, intense interest is anticipated regarding who will secure the historic match-worn jersey from the departing Argentine captain.