Messi's Monumental farewell sees Selección unbeaten at River

Lionel Messi announced on Monday that he will retire from the Argentina Selección after more than two decades, just weeks before the World Cup final against Spain. In his 28 appearances at River’s Monumental stadium he never lost – 22 victories, six draws and 19 goals.

Unbeaten record at the Monumental

Messi made his debut for the national side in October 2005 against Peru in a World Cup qualifying match at the Monumental. His final appearance came in September 2025, also a qualifier, versus Venezuela. Across those 28 games the team recorded 22 wins and only six draws, never tasting defeat.

The Argentine forward found the net 19 times at the stadium. His first goal arrived in October 2008 against Uruguay, and the last two came in the September 2025 match with Venezuela. Those strikes contributed to a remarkable unbeaten streak that spanned two decades.

Among the memorable fixtures were a friendly win over Spain on 7 September 2010 and a series of qualifier victories over Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile, each featuring a Messi goal. The list also includes a hat‑trick against Bolivia on 9 September 2021, underscoring his impact on the home ground.

Retirement and tributes

River Plate marked the announcement with a cascade of social‑media posts, sharing a photo of the stadium and the caption “Gracias por tu magia en casa, Leo 🇦🇷🐐”. The club’s official account also posted a tweet that read: “Una historia Monumental con la Selección Argentina, capitán 🇦🇷🔟❤️”.

"Gracias por tu magia en casa, Leo. Gracias capitán" – CARP

In the tweet the word “Gol” appears as part of the celebratory chant, echoing the many goals he scored at the venue. The tribute highlighted Messi’s status as the beloved captain of the Celeste y Blanca.

The retirement comes after the recent death of his father, Jorge, and follows the emotional build‑up to the World Cup final against Spain. Messi’s decision ends a career that began in 2005 and saw him become the most‑capped and highest‑scoring player in Argentina’s history.

Overall, Messi amassed 207 caps and 125 goals for Argentina, records that are unlikely to be matched. His unbeaten Monumental record stands as a fitting chapter in a career that has defined a generation.

The contrast between an unblemished home record and his departure underscores the magnitude of his legacy, leaving fans to cherish the memories while anticipating the final farewell ceremonies that will follow.