Lionel Messi's true feelings on Argentina farewell match revealed as 'money-making' claim made

Lionel Messi was reluctant to agree to a last farewell with Argentina over concerns that his country's football association (AFA) saw it as an opportunity to cash in on his legacy.

Messi will play his 208th and final senior Argentina match in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time), bringing an end to the international career of one of the world's greatest ever footballers.

Benin agreed to take the honour of being Argentina's opposition for a historic occasion but Messi and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni have both voiced some notes of scepticism.

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Argentina face Benin in Lionel Messi's final match

Messi announced his retirement from international football in August after Argentina had been defeated by Spain in the World Cup final, a stage where Messi had led his team to glory four years earlier.

Having turned 39 during the tournament, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner called time and admitted that it was a painful decision. He had, he said, nothing left to give.

The AFA saw fit to ask just a little more of him. Argentina's former captain reportedly had his doubts about the motivations behind his swansong against the team ranked number 93 in the world.

"Messi himself was not keen on the idea of this tribute match, as he viewed it as a final money-making venture by the AFA, using his name to secure millions in revenue," reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Ultimately, he accepted, but the match has generated considerable controversy.

"For this extended international break, the AFA decided to play three home friendlies, inviting Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin.

"Benin has agreed to participate for free in Messi's farewell, content with merely appearing in a historic photograph."

Benin's asking price is understood to be significant. According to Gazzetta, the AFA tasked an agency in Colombia to line up friendly opponents who don't demand a fee.

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Messi's international career is without equal

Argentina's former captain will turn in his blue and white shirt as one of only four men to have played more than 200 senior internationals.

Messi is likely to be overtaken by Luka Modric, leaving him third behind the Croatia midfielder and Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time internationals list.

Neither Modric nor Ronaldo has won a World Cup and Messi has two Copa America wins to Ronaldo's one European Championship success with portugal.

The 39-year-old will end his career with 61 caps more than the next Argentina player, Javier Mascherano, and his goal tally of 125 is 69 clear of Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina's second-highest goalscorer.

"I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football," Messi said when he announced his retirement.

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