One of the last images of Lionel Messi at an Argentina national team practice was captured by a photographer, shortly before his big “farewell” from the “Albiceleste.” Fabrizio Romano posted photos on social media from the training session that took place in the early hours of the morning, showing the Argentine superstar training alongside his teammates as usual.
Messi had already returned to his homeland a few days ago, initially choosing to spend time with his family in Rosario. Lionel Scaloni had given him the opportunity to join training whenever he felt ready, with the 39-year-old finally joining the rest of the squad a few hours before practice.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Leo Messi, completing one of his final training sessions as a player for the Argentina national team. https://t.co/qeZVeH31ok
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 5, 2026
The match against Benin at the “Monumental” in Buenos Aires is expected to be the final chapter of a remarkable journey in the Argentina jersey. A journey that began in August 2005 and included skepticism, lost finals, his temporary retirement in 2016, and ultimately complete vindication with the conquest of two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup.
Messi’s relationship with the national team has gone through many different phases. In the early years of his career, he even had to contend with skepticism from some fans because he had developed as a soccer player in Spain, but he gradually emerged as the undisputed leader of a generation that brought Argentina back to the top of the world.
With 207 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists, Messi is now preparing to cap off one of the most significant international careers in soccer history. That’s why the images from his final training sessions with the blue-and-white jersey take on special significance, as Argentina prepares to bid farewell to the player who defined an entire era.
