Messi, honorary member of River Plate
Within the framework of his farewell to the Argentine National Team, Lionel Messi had a meeting with Stefano Di Carlo in the Presidential Office of the Monumental Stadium, where he received special recognition from River. The club gave him the special shirt for the 125 years, with the emblematic number 10 and his surname, a membership card and a commemorative plaque that recognizes him as an Honorary Member of River. Recognition takes on a special meaning due to the relationship built between Messi and the Monumental throughout his international career. The stadium has been the scene of some of his most important moments with Argentina and, finally, also of his last match with the National Team in Argentine territory.
The Monumental has been the great house of Messi with Argentina: 28 games played with the Argentine National Team at the Monumental; 19 goals, more than in any other Argentine stadium; His first goal there came in 2008 against Uruguay, in the Qualifiers; There he starred in some of his most memorable performances: hat-trick against Bolivia in 2021, another hat-trick against Bolivia in 2024 and double against Venezuela in 2025; On October 6, 2026, against Benin, he played his last match with Argentina on Argentine territory; at 3-0, Messi he scored a goal and gave two assists; the link between Messi and the Monumental spans more than 15 years, from his first goal in 2008 to his farewell.
A recognition with a special meaning River’s decision to name Messi Honorary Member adds a new chapter to a relationship that transcends results. For years, the Monumental was one of Messi’s main venues with the National Team and also ended up being the place chosen to close his international stage in Argentine territory. Messi said goodbye to the Argentine public in the same stadium that for years witnessed his evolution with the Albiceleste. And River, on behalf of its partners and fans, wanted to accompany this last chapter with institutional recognition of one of the great protagonists in the recent history of Argentine football.
