Argentina bids Lionel Messi farewell in final national team match

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Argentina is girding itself for the once-unimaginable prospect of a national team without soccer great Lionel Messi.

On Tuesday, the 39-year-old Messi is set to bid farewell to international soccer after 21 years, 125 goals, two Copa América titles and a World Cup championship. What would otherwise be an unremarkable friendly match against the West African nation of Benin has become the moment that this soccer-crazed country has long dreaded.

"It feels like an era is ending, knowing he won't play for the national team anymore," said Valentino Ruso, 17, who was heading to a friend's house in Buenos Aires to watch the game. "I'm sad. I think everyone is upset today. He will be missed."