Lionel Messi, 39, will hold a degree rather than a trophy in his hands before hanging up his boots.
The University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina's most prestigious national university, said on the 30th that its council had unanimously approved a measure to award an honorary doctorate to Messi, captain of the country's national soccer team. UBA has produced multiple Nobel Prize winners and ranks among the top universities in South America, holding a status comparable to that of Seoul National University in Korea.
The ceremony is scheduled for the 6th at Monumental Stadium, the home ground of River Plate in Buenos Aires. That day is also when Messi plays his final match in the national team jersey, a friendly against Benin.
UBA cited not only Messi's performance over more than 20 years with the national team but also his "excellence, perseverance and humility, and his dedication to the country."
UBA Rector Ricardo Gelpi described Messi as "an exemplary ambassador who embodies humility and perseverance and who represents Argentine popular culture and national identity," adding that "Messi himself has been a goodwill ambassador who introduced Argentina to the world."
As captain, Messi led the team to consecutive titles at the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima and the Qatar World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in particular, he delivered Argentina's first title in 36 years, shedding the label of a "GOAT without a World Cup."
Messi formalized his retirement from the national team in late August this year. At the time, he said he had "given everything to the Argentine national team" and that he could leave because "there are excellent young players."
