Argentina's most prestigious university to confer the honor ahead of Messi's farewell match for the national team on Tuesday

The University of Buenos Aires has voted unanimously to award Lionel Messi an honorary doctorate. Messi, who has announced his retirement from the Argentine national team, will receive the degree ahead of his farewell match on Tuesday. [Getty Images]
The University of Buenos Aires has voted unanimously to award Lionel Messi an honorary doctorate. Messi, who has announced his retirement from the Argentine national team, will receive the degree ahead of his farewell match on Tuesday. [Getty Images]

Lionel Messi, 39, will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina's most prestigious public university — a tribute from his homeland to the man who inspired a nation through football.

The university, known by its Spanish acronym UBA, said Wednesday (local time) that its governing body unanimously approved conferring the honorary degree on Messi, the captain of the Argentine national team. This is the equivalent of Seoul National University conferring an honorary doctorate in the Korean context. UBA cited his football career representing Argentina, as well as his excellence, perseverance, humility and dedication to the country.

UBA Rector Ricardo Gelpi described Messi as "an exemplary ambassador of our popular culture and national identity, a figure of humility and perseverance" who had served as a global envoy for Argentina. UBA Vice Rector Emiliano Yacobitti added that Messi had embodied the values of the Argentine jersey with courage and respect, and that the honorary degree recognized more than his sporting achievements alone.

The degree ceremony will be held before Messi's farewell international, a match between Argentina and Benin. The send-off is scheduled for Tuesday at Estadio Monumental, the home of River Plate in Buenos Aires.

As captain, Messi led Argentina to the Copa América in 2021, the Finalissima and the Qatar World Cup in 2022, and the Copa América again in 2024. The 2022 World Cup title was particularly significant, ending a 36-year wait for Argentina to reclaim the trophy.

Messi announced his retirement from the national team in late August, following the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. "I gave everything to the national team, and there are wonderful young players — that is why I am leaving," he told fans in his farewell remarks.


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