Lionel Messi Unveils Jersey for Argentina Home Farewell

Lionel Messi has unveiled a special jersey for what is set to be his final Argentina appearance on home soil, sharing the No. 10 shirt ahead of the national side’s October friendlies. The shirt carries his name and iconic number in bold gold colours, with a pattern on the back.

Messi posted an image of the jersey on Instagram alongside the message: “One last match… A jersey for a lifetime.” The final home farewell is scheduled for October 6, when Argentina are due to face Benin at River Plate’s Stadium.

The occasion matters because it is expected to give Messi the chance to say goodbye to Argentina supporters at home after an international career that, according to the report, began with his senior debut in 2005. He announced his retirement from the national team earlier in September, bringing a decorated spell with the side to a close.

Argentina’s upcoming home friendly schedule

Argentina will play three friendlies in the country between September 21 and October 6, according to the Argentine Football Association’s official website. Lionel Scaloni’s team are scheduled to meet Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in the province of Cordoba.

The remaining two matches will be staged at River Plate’s Stadium. Argentina are set to play Burkina Faso on October 3 before completing the run of fixtures against Benin on October 6.

The report stated that Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso will attend the final friendly on October 6. Messi’s jersey reveal places the spotlight on that match, with the gold No. 10 design serving as a commemorative shirt for the occasion.

A career defined by major Argentina honours

Messi’s Argentina journey included difficult near-misses before the team’s major trophy success. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and the 2016 Copa America final to Chile, but went on to win the Copa America in 2021. That title ended a 28-year wait for a major trophy, according to the report.

Argentina then won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi scored twice in the final against France and converted his penalty in the shootout after the match finished 3-3 following extra time. Argentina won the shootout 4-2.

The team retained the Copa America in 2024, adding another major title to Messi’s international record. The report describes Messi as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 203 appearances and 203 goals for the national side.

Final home date set for October 6

Messi’s World Cup career spanned six editions from 2006 to 2026. The report credited him with 21 goals in 34 World Cup appearances, placing him second on the all-time scoring list, and stated that he recorded eight goals and four assists at the 2026 tournament, including his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria.

While stepping away from international football, the 39-year-old will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Before that next chapter, Argentina’s October 6 friendly against Benin is set to provide the final home-soil moment marked by Messi’s special No. 10 jersey.