Overview
- The farewell match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental on Tuesday and the AFA opened the stadium and Fan Fest hours earlier with music, drones, fireworks and a slate of pre-match and post-match shows.
- Lionel Messi completed a final training session, posted an Instagram message saying “Gracias Argentina,” and is expected to wear a special commemorative Argentina jersey for his last appearance.
- Many World Cup-winning teammates and former players will attend the ceremony while several 2022 champions will not travel because clubs refused permission, schedules conflicted, or players are injured or suspended.
- TyC Sports and Telefé are broadcasting the event live and match previews list a probable Argentina XI with Messi up front alongside Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez under coach Lionel Scaloni.
- Coverage in the run-up noted different tallies for Messi’s Argentina career in matches, goals and assists but all accounts underline a 21–22 year international run that included Copa Américas, the Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup and that his retirement marks a clear change for the national team and its next generation.