Some 85,000 spectators will be present to watch the 39-year-old idol perform his wizardry in a friendly against Benin that brings down the curtain on his 21-year international career.
Millions more will follow the action in South America’s largest stadium, Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental, on TV.
The most-capped player in Argentine history is hanging up his boots two-and-a-half months after losing the World Cup final to Spain.
“I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote when announcing his international retirement in August.
On Monday, he took part in his last training session with the team at the complex that bears his name in the Buenos Aires suburb of Ezeiza.
Fans gathered to watch there too.
“I believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn’t bother me at all that he’s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest,” Cecilia Adriano, 52, told AFP.
Before the match, the University of Buenos Aires will award Messi an honorary doctorate.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated.
