Lionel Messi unveils Argentina shirt for international farewell

Lionel Messi has revealed the shirt he will wear for his final appearance with Argentina, describing it as “a shirt for a lifetime”.

The Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football a few days ago after an unforgettable career with the national team. Despite that decision, he has been included in Argentina’s squad for the September and October camp after being invited by Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia.

Messi unveiled the shirt, produced in collaboration with German sportswear company Adidas, on his personal Instagram account.

“Last match… a shirt for a lifetime,” he wrote.

Argentina Football Association plans to honour Messi in front of the country’s supporters after his long career in the national team shirt.

“We invited Messi to attend a farewell ceremony worthy of him on 6 October here in Argentina,” Tapia said in comments to the media.

“We are also inviting all the national team players who won the World Cup in Qatar, along with their families, to join him for a match that will be unforgettable for all the national team’s supporters.”

Argentina will face Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin during the current camp.

The international break began on 21 September and will end on 6 October.

Argentina’s match against Bolivia will take place on Wednesday, 30 September at the Mario Kempes Stadium.

The other two fixtures will be played at River Plate. Argentina will meet Burkina Faso on Saturday, 3 October, before facing Benin on Tuesday, 6 October.

Messi decided to retire from international football after Argentina’s defeat in the 2026 World Cup final, but announced the decision a few days ago because of the death of his father several weeks earlier.

His international career with Argentina began in 2005 and lasted for more than 20 years. The forward has made 207 appearances for his country and scored 125 goals.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and finished as a World Cup runner-up twice, in 2014 and 2026.

He also won the Copa America with Argentina in 2021 and 2024.