LIONEL MESSI calls time on his international career with one last tango in the colours of Argentina.
Boss Lionel Scaloni says the 85,000-capacity Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires could have sold out FIVE times over for the legend’s emotional farewell on Tuesday night.
Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez does not expect there to be a dry eye in the house when the superstar lines up against Benin.
Messi, 39, announced his retirement from the national team in August in the aftermath of Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the World Cup final and following the death of his father, Jorge.
He captained Argentina to World Cup glory four years earlier having previously suffered heartbreak against Germany in 2014’s final.
And it is the hottest ticket in town to see whether the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player with 207 appearances can add to his tally of 125 GOALS.
Scaloni said: “If there were five Monumental Stadiums, they would be packed.
“It will be an unforgettable day. It will be his day, and his teammates’ day, who also gave him his greatest footballing joy.
“I’m grateful to be able to enjoy it.” Messi travelled from his home town of Rosario to Buenos Aires on Sunday and enjoyed a traditional barbecue with team-mates and staff before training with them for the final time yesterday.
Striker Martinez expects it to be a night to remember before his long-time skipper returns to concentrate on his club career with David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami.
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The Inter Milan ace said: “Tuesday’s game will surely be full of emotion.
“It will be very special and important. Hopefully we won’t cry too much.”
The prospect of trying to stop the world’s best player in front of his adoring public is a daunting one for Benin.
And the Cheetahs’ preparations for the friendly showdown have made that task even greater.
Reports in Africa claim that they travelled to South America on a 23-hour-long economy flight in which the team’s video analyst suffered a blackout.
And upon their arrival in Argentina, their hotel had no hot water.
Meanwhile, Italian club Roma were not willing to play ball for Messi’s farewell game.
The Serie A giants have blocked their duo Nahuel Molina and Paulo Dybala, both part of the triumphant 2022 side, from going to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s send-off.
Roma claim the tough call was made with their return to domestic action against Como on Sunday in mind.
A statement said: “The club acknowledges the significance of the occasion for both players, who share a close bond with Lionel Messi and were part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team alongside him.
“The decision was made for sporting and logistical reasons, taking into account the length of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of the club’s upcoming competitive fixtures.
“AS Roma has the utmost respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career and wishes him and the Argentine FA a very special evening.”