Emiliano Martinez puts retirement thoughts aside as Argentina prepare Messi farewell

Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for Argentina when the world champions face Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium on Tuesday morning, with team-mate Emiliano Martinez saying the squad has already begun preparing an emotional farewell.

Messi arrived at the national-team camp on Sunday evening and was welcomed by a barbecue, or asado, organised by the players at their training base.

“We will try to embrace him during the little time he has left with us,” said Martinez, who later shared a video on social media showing Argentina’s players preparing the meal.

“We will try to spoil him, make sure he enjoys this moment as much as possible, surround him with hugs and kisses, and make sure he is happy,” the goalkeeper added.

Martinez also spoke about his relationship with Messi after Sunday’s friendly against Burkina Faso, in comments reported by Argentine newspaper Ole.

“I tried to help him as much as I could, and he knows that. We always talk about it,” said the Chelsea goalkeeper.

“It was one of the greatest honours of my career to try to help him achieve what he wanted so badly. He is the greatest player in history and, thank God, I feel I was part of his journey.”

On the meeting with Benin, Martinez said: “I want to see him enjoying himself and smiling.”

Martinez says retirement is no longer on his mind

Martinez also reflected on the pain of losing a World Cup final and revealed that he had considered retiring after the defeat.

“The impact of losing the World Cup final was very difficult for me,” he said. “The pain stayed with me for a long time. I needed to change the situation at club level to try to ease what I felt after the final, and I achieved that.

“Now I come here feeling well and happy, with a lot of energy. In the end, I have to represent my country and my family, and I have to do that in the best way possible.”

Martinez left Aston Villa for Chelsea in the final days of the summer transfer window. He has since regained his motivation and reaffirmed his full commitment to Argentina as the 2030 cycle begins.

Asked about the national team’s future after Messi’s departure, Martinez acknowledged the scale of the challenge but said Argentina had players capable of taking responsibility.

“His departure will leave a huge void, but we have players with strong personalities,” he said.

Argentina face Benin in a friendly on 06 October 2026, as the squad prepares for the occasion of Messi’s expected final appearance in the national team shirt.