Lionel Messi set for 'Last Tango' with Argentina as Cristiano Ronaldo pouts on Portugal sidelines - thenationalnews.com
Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for the Argentina national team in a friendly against Benin. The event, dubbed 'The Last Tango,' marks the end of a historic career that included World Cup and Copa America titles.
Why it matters
Messi's retirement from international football marks the end of an era for one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
Expect tears in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night as Lionel Messi bids what is sure to be an emotional farewell to the Argentina national team. The 39-year-old will be winning his 208th and final cap for La Albiceleste when they take on Benin in a friendly at Monumental Stadium, bringing the curtain down on a career that has seen him score 125 goals and provide 68 assists for his country. From 2021 to 2024, Messi captained the side to back-to-back Copa America triumphs, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/fifa-world-cup-2022/2022/12/18/world-cup-argentina-the-new-champions-after-penalty-shootout-win-against-france/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.thenationalnews.com/fifa-world-cup-2022/2022/12/18/world-cup-argentina-the-new-champions-after-penalty-shootout-win-against-france/">World Cup glory</a> in Qatar and the relaunched <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2022/06/02/italy-vs-argentina-player-ratings-bonucci-3-chiellini-4-messi-9-di-maria-8/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2022/06/02/italy-vs-argentina-player-ratings-bonucci-3-chiellini-4-messi-9-di-maria-8/">Finalissima</a>, ending his international trophy drought in spectacular style. All 85,018 tickets for the Benin game – dubbed 'The Last Tango' – were reported to have sold out within two hours, with fans desperate to pay their respects to their hero and Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
Also covering this story
16 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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