Messi receives replica of Benin’s Amazon Monument before international farewell

Lionel Messi was presented with a small statue by Benin captain Sessi D’Almeida before the two sides met in an international friendly.

The gift was made ahead of Messi’s final appearance for Argentina, bringing the international career of the national team captain to a close after he had previously played 207 matches for his country.

The statue is a miniature replica of the Amazon Monument in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city. The original monument was unveiled in 2022 and stands in a square overlooking Boulevard de la Marina.

The bronze-covered metal structure weighs 150 tonnes and is 30 metres tall. It is the second-tallest statue in Africa, behind the African Renaissance Monument in Senegal.

The monument depicts a young warrior carrying a rifle and a sword. It honours the Dahomey Amazons, described as the only female army in modern history.

The elite infantry served as bodyguards to the rulers of the Kingdom of Dahomey, the former name of Benin. The force existed from the 17th century until the end of the 19th century.

According to Jean-Marc Adjovi Boco, an adviser to the Ministry of Sports who accompanied the delegation to Argentina, Messi’s miniature statue will be given to his wife, Antonela.

Replicas of the monument have a particular ceremonial significance. They are presented to influential women or the partners of prominent figures as symbols of protection, sovereignty, pride and respect.

Before the match, Messi also unveiled the shirt he will wear for his farewell appearance with Argentina, in collaboration with German sportswear company Adidas.

He wrote on his personal Instagram account: “The last match… a shirt for life.”

The Argentine Football Association wants to honour Messi in front of supporters in Argentina after his long career with the national team.

“We invited Messi to attend a farewell ceremony worthy of him on 7 October here in Argentina,” Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia said in comments to the press.

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

Messi decided to retire from international football after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final, but revealed the decision days ago following the death of his father several weeks earlier.

His international career began with Argentina in 2005 and lasted for more than 20 years. During that time, he played 207 matches and scored 125 goals for his country.

Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and finished as a runner-up at the tournament in 2014 and 2026. He also won the Copa America with Argentina in 2021 and 2024.