Benin’s Moment of Glow
Benin, the West African country that has long lived in the shadow of footballing giant Nigeria, is about to steal the spotlight as they line up against Argentina in the city of Buenos Aires for a game that will mark Lionel Messi’s final outing on the international stage.
A specially designed Argentine kit has been commissioned to commemorate the occasion, and the jersey that Messi will don could become one of the most expensive pieces of football memorabilia on record.
The meeting will see Argentina, who finished as 2026 World Cup runners‑up, face a squad built from talent scattered across Europe and South Africa – players from the Finnish top flight, the Swiss second division and the South‑African Premiership.
Captain Steve Mounie’s Commitment
Benin’s captain, forward Steve Mounie, who plies his trade at German side FC Augsburg and appears in the hearts of Huddersfield Town supporters from his spell there, spoke about the emotional weight of the clash:
‘When the coach called me up for this match, we didn’t realise it would be Messi’s last home game,’ Mounie said. ‘It feels like a cherry on top for our nation, a moment that will resonate worldwide.’
Having spent over a decade in the national team, he admitted that he had never played a friendly outside of Africa, making the September campaign a first‑time experience.
Injured and unlikely to take the field, Mounie said he would still travel to Buenos Aires, buying his own ticket to stand beside his teammates and, if possible, to catch a glimpse of the game from the pitch side. He added that the kit’s value adds a new layer of importance to the fixture.
The Ultimate Relic That All Players Want
Argentina warmed up for their friendly by a wide 7‑0 victory over Burkina Faso. Heads of the debate now focus on Messi’s likely late‑second‑half substitution, which would give him an opportunity to carry the match‑worn jersey into the 21st‑century market.
Classic Football Shirts founder Doug Bierton warned: ‘Every player on the pitch is looking to swap with Messi because the last shirt he wears is a collector’s dream. It could fetch a price comparable to Maradona’s ’Hand of God’ shirt, which sold for £7.1 million last year.’
Even teammates such as Rodrigo De Paul may turn up their interest, while kit men and private collectors alike will be watching to see who will finally get the chance to hold what could become the most valuable piece of football history.
