Messi’s final goodbye comes in a special Adidas jersey

Lionel Messi has unveiled the special Argentina shirt he is set to wear for what will be his final international appearance, adding an emotional touch to the closing chapter of his extraordinary career with the national team.

The 39-year-old Argentina captain shared the special Adidas jersey on Instagram ahead of his farewell match against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Alongside a picture of the shirt, Messi wrote: “One last match. A jersey for a lifetime.”

The jersey retains Argentina’s iconic sky blue and white colours but features several details created specifically for Messi’s farewell.

His name, MESSI, and his iconic No. 10 are printed in gold on the back, while the Sun of May appears above his name. A distinctive pattern also runs across the back of the shirt, giving the jersey a commemorative look.

The design continues Adidas’ tribute to the final chapter of Messi’s international career. The German sportswear giant, which has been associated with the Argentine star for nearly two decades, previously released its “El Ultimo Tango” collection ahead of Messi’s final World Cup earlier this year.

One final appearance

Argentina will face Benin on October 6 in a match organised as Messi’s farewell to international football.

Messi has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina. He is not expected to feature in the team’s earlier friendlies against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, meaning the Benin match will be his 208th and final appearance for the national side.

For Argentine fans, Messi’s No. 10 shirt has become a symbol of an era filled with extraordinary highs and painful disappointments.

They have watched him shed tears in the famous sky blue and white shirt and have also seen those tears turn into celebrations on some of the most memorable nights in Argentina’s football history.

From the heartbreak of missed opportunities to the joy of finally lifting major international trophies, Messi’s journey with Argentina has spanned more than two decades.

Now, there is only one match left.

And for that final goodbye, Messi will wear a jersey designed to mark the end of an unforgettable chapter.

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