Argentina Braces for Messi Farewell: ‘An Impossible Void to Fill’
Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina is approaching, and his teammates are already anticipating an emotional farewell at the Monumental.
The Argentina national team is preparing for an international window unlike any other. Matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin will inevitably be overshadowed by a historic moment for La Albiceleste: Lionel Messi is set to play his final games for his country.
As Lionel Scaloni’s players begin arriving for camp, the captain’s farewell has become the dominant topic. Veterans, World Cup winners and younger players who only recently had the opportunity to share a locker room with the No. 10 are beginning to process what an Argentina team without Messi will look like.
Valentín Barco was among the first to put those emotions into words. “Nobody can imagine the national team without him. He will leave a huge void, one that is impossible to fill,” the defender told ESPN, capturing a feeling shared throughout the squad.
World Cup Winners Prepare to Say Goodbye to Their Captain
The significance of the occasion is also being felt by the players who shared Argentina’s greatest recent triumphs with Messi. Cristian Romero highlighted the captain’s human side and the way he has approached the final stage of his international career.
The ‘Cuti’ praised Messi’s humility and stressed that his behavior inside the group makes his legacy even greater, with the upcoming camp expected to bring back countless memories from their years together.
Lautaro Martínez also made no attempt to hide his emotions. “It will be an emotional match for everyone,” said the Inter striker, who has shared the field with Messi during some of the most memorable chapters in Argentina’s recent history.
Di María Will Be There for Messi’s Final Match
The farewell will also bring back some of the stars who have already closed their own chapters with the national team. Ángel Di María confirmed that he plans to be in the stands at the Estadio Monumental to support his friend and former teammate for Messi’s final Argentina appearance.
“It will be difficult to have a national team without Leo after so many years, after everything he gave to Argentina and to the entire world,” Di María told TyC Sports.
‘Fideo’ said he wants to be there to enjoy Messi’s final day, adding another emotional layer to an occasion that will also feature invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families.
When Is Lionel Messi’s Final Match for Argentina?
Messi’s final international window will begin on September 30, when Argentina face Bolivia at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.
Next comes a meeting with Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Estadio Monumental, before the game that will capture the attention of the entire soccer world.
On Tuesday, October 6, Argentina will face Benin at the Monumental in what is set to be Messi’s final appearance in the famous sky blue and white shirt.
It will close an international career that spanned generations, heartbreaking defeats and, eventually, an extraordinary run of trophies. For many of his current teammates, it will also mean saying goodbye to the player they grew up watching before eventually sharing the field with him.
Argentina will eventually have to begin building a new era without its No. 10. Before that happens, however, there is one final opportunity to enjoy Lionel Messi. And as Barco put it, the void he leaves behind will be impossible to fill.
Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for Argentina against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental.
- Valentín Barco, Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martínez have spoken about the emotion surrounding Messi’s farewell.
- Ángel Di María plans to attend the final match at the Monumental to support his longtime friend and former teammate.
