Messi Unveils ‘Jersey for a Lifetime’ for Final Argentina Farewell

Special No. 10 shirt carries gold details and the Sun of May as Messi prepares for his final international appearance on home soil.

September 22, 2026 at 4:57 PM
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BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi has unveiled a deeply symbolic Argentina jersey for what is set to be his final international appearance on home soil, a shirt designed to mark the end of an extraordinary journey that transformed him from a teenage debutant into Argentina’s most decorated footballer.

The special Adidas jersey features Messi’s iconic No. 10 and name in gold, while retaining Argentina’s traditional sky-blue and white colours. A prominent Sun of May and gold detailing add to the commemorative design, giving the shirt a distinctive farewell character.

Messi shared a video of the jersey on social media ahead of Argentina’s farewell match against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

The 39-year-old captioned the post: “Último partido….. Una camiseta para toda la vida”, meaning, “One last match…. A jersey for a lifetime.”

A jersey carrying Messi’s Argentina legacy

The shirt is special not simply because it marks Messi’s final home appearance, but because its design brings together symbols associated with Argentina and the captain who wore the No. 10 shirt through one of the greatest eras in the country’s football history.

The gold lettering and details distinguish the jersey from Argentina’s regular playing shirts, while the Sun of May, a central symbol of the Argentine flag, reinforces its national significance.

Messi’s international career began with his senior Argentina debut in 2005. Since then, he has become the country’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer, while winning three major international trophies.

Read Also: Why Messi Could Not Save Argentina in World Cup Final

From heartbreak to international glory

After years of near misses with Argentina, Messi finally won his first major international title at the 2021 Copa America.

He then led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, scoring twice in the final against France before converting his penalty during the shootout.

Argentina subsequently retained the Copa America in 2024, giving Messi three major international trophies with his country.

The farewell jersey therefore represents more than a final match kit. It carries the memories of Messi’s long Argentina journey, from his debut in 2005 and years of disappointment to Copa America and World Cup triumphs.

Read Also: Messi Set for Argentina Farewell on October 6 Following International Retirement

For a player whose No. 10 has become synonymous with Argentina, the gold-lettered shirt could become one of the most memorable jerseys of his international career.

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