Messi Lands in Rosario Ahead of Argentina Farewell

Lionel Messi has arrived in Argentina ahead of his final appearance for the national team, landing with his family at Rosario’s Islas Malvinas International Airport on Friday morning.

The Inter Miami forward first travelled to his private home in Funes for a short break before joining Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad at the Ezeiza training base. Messi is due to take part in only one session with his international team-mates before Tuesday night’s farewell fixture at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental.

His return came sooner than initially expected. Scaloni had indicated before the Bolivia match that Messi was expected after Saturday’s game on the 3rd, although the coach left open the possibility of an earlier arrival if the captain wanted to play that day. Messi instead reached Rosario on Friday as preparations began for the send-off.

The 39-year-old confirmed on Instagram last month that he would retire from international football, following a summer tournament in which he posted his best individual scoring return at a major competition. Argentina’s eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will now make his last national-team outing in front of a sold-out home crowd.

Benin are the opponents on October 6, with kick-off moved forward to 20:00 local time to allow room for tributes before the match. The Argentine Football Association has also commissioned a special shirt for the occasion, featuring a vertical design with the Sun of May and laurel branches around Messi’s famous No. 10.

Once the ceremony and friendly are complete, Messi will fly back to Miami to finish Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer campaign.