One ought to anticipate a veritable deluge of tears when Lionel Messi graces the pitch for a valedictory fixture in Argentina's colours on Tuesday.

The friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires has been anointed “The Night That No One Wants to End,” marking the occasion on which Messi dons his country’s colours for the final time.

The 39-year-old soccer icon, in the weeks that ensued in the wake of the World Cup final defeat at the hands of Spain, announced his international retirement, declaring, “The time has come.”

The Argentine Football Association prevailed upon him to make one final appearance for “the farewell he deserves”, and thousands of fans are anticipated to manifest their appreciation at Estadio Monumental.

The AFA asserted that the match would “transcend sports” and be “full of emotion.”

Messi posted on social media pictures of his arrival to join the national team for the last time, alongside those of his final training sessions.

"Moments of singular significance, which I am fully cognizant I shall lament," he wrote.

Messi fell agonisingly short of securing back-to-back World Cups when defending champions Argentina succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in July's final in New Jersey.

He had realised his crowning ambition of spearheading his nation to triumph four years prior in Qatar — thereby emulating the Argentine luminary Diego Maradona.

Messi has amassed 207 caps for Argentina, concluding his tenure as the nation's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, 21 of which were registered at World Cups.

He featured in a record-equalling six World Cups, alongside his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Having made a fleeting withdrawal from international duty with Argentina in 2016, he subsequently savoured the most triumphant chapter of his career with the national side, clinching Copa América titles in 2021 and ’24, alongside the 2022 World Cup.

He persists in plying his trade at club level with Inter Miami, having recently clinched the Campeones Cup—his fourth piece of silverware with the side.

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