RismadarVoice Reporters
October 6, 2026
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Buenos Aires, UBA, as he prepares to make his final appearance for the national team.
The university conferred its highest honorary distinction, Doctor Honoris Causa, on the 39-year-old football star in recognition of his sporting career and wider contribution to Argentine society.
UBA’s Superior Council unanimously approved the honour, citing Messi’s excellence, perseverance, humility, ethical conduct and commitment to representing Argentina.
The recognition comes ahead of Argentina’s farewell match against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, which is set to bring Messi’s international career to an end.
The university highlighted Messi’s role in some of Argentina’s biggest recent successes, including the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.
UBA Rector Ricardo Gelpi said the distinction recognised qualities extending beyond Messi’s records and achievements on the football pitch, describing him as an example and ambassador of Argentine popular culture and national identity.
Vice Rector Emiliano Yacobitti said Messi had represented the values of the Argentine national team with courage and respect, adding that the honorary doctorate was intended as recognition extending beyond his football career.
Messi is Argentina’s record appearance holder and all-time leading goalscorer, having represented the country for more than two decades.
His farewell against Benin is expected to be accompanied by tributes celebrating a national-team career that transformed him into one of the most prominent figures in Argentine sporting history.
Although the match will mark the end of his international career, Messi is expected to continue playing club football with Inter Miami.
