Lionel Messi has completed football and can bid Argentina farewell with pride

Lionel Messi will make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires, ending an international career that included a World Cup and two Copa América titles. Messi says goodbye with 208 caps and a World Cup but there were times he thought his glory would never come By Opta AnalystNot for the first time, Lionel Messi is returning to the Argentina national team. This occasion, however, will be accompanied by a sense of completion and celebration rather than obligation, as the country bids farewell to probably the greatest footballer ever.

Messi will wear the Argentina shirt one last time this week for a friendly in Buenos Aires against Benin (who else?!) after he was invited back for a celebratory runout following his decision to retire from international football after the World Cup final.He has retired before. In 2016, having suffered heartbreak in a major international final for the third year in a row, Messi was seemingly done. “This is tough and a difficult time,” he said after the Copa América Centenario final defeat to Chile.

“The end has come for me and our team. It has been four finals – it just wasn’t for me unfortunately. I looked for it and wanted it so badly, but it didn’t happen.

This is best for everyone – for me and for a lot of people that wish this. The team has ended for me, a decision made. I tried many times and I leave without being able to obtain it.” Continue reading...

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Expect lots of tears when Lionel Messi plays a farewell game for Argentina on Tuesday. The friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires has been dubbed “The Night That No One Wants to End” as Messi plays for his country one last time. The 39-year-old soccer icon announced his international retirement in the weeks following the World Cup final loss to Spain, saying, “The time has come.” The Argentine Football Association tempted him to make one last appearance for “the farewell he deserves” and thousands of fans are expected to show their appreciation at Estadio Monumental.

AFA said the match will “transcend sports” and be “full of emotion.” Messi posted on social media pictures of him arriving to join the national team for the last time and his final training sessions. “Special moments I know I will miss,” he wrote. Messi just fell short of winning back-to-back World Cups when defending champion Argentina was beaten by Spain 1-0 in the final in July in New Jersey.