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The University of Buenos Aires announced on Wednesday that it will grant Argentine football legend Lionel Messi an honorary doctorate, its highest honorary title, in recognition of his sports career and the role he has played in representing Argentina.
Messi is scheduled to receive this degree on Tuesday, October 6, before his farewell match with the Argentine national team against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The university's highest council unanimously agreed to grant Messi this honor, praising the career of the world champion and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, considering it a "model of excellence, perseverance, humility, and ethical behavior"
Messi led his national team to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He also won the Copa América twice with Argentina, in 2021 and 2024, in addition to the Olympic gold medal in 2008, and played in two other World Cup finals, in 2014 and this year.
University President Ricardo Gili said, according to the statement, that Messi is a "model and ambassador of our popular culture and national identity"
In the friendly match against Benin, Messi, aged 39, will end more than two decades of his career with the Argentine national team, which leads its all-time top scorers list with 125 goals, and is also the best assist provider with 68 assists, and holds the record for the most international appearances with 207 caps.
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