Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina in a friendly against Benin on October 6, following his announcement of international retirement.
Key facts
- •Lionel Messi has 125 goals in 207 international appearances to date.
- •The farewell match will take place at the 85,000-capacity Estadio Monumental.
- •Messi's international career includes winning the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
- •Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada are serving suspensions following the World Cup final.
- •Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 season.
Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina's squad for a friendly match against Benin on October 6 in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, who announced his international retirement last month, is expected to make his 208th and final appearance for the national team at the Estadio Monumental. Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the invitation, stating the event is intended to provide the captain with a proper farewell.
By the numbers
Celebration of a Career
The Argentine Football Association has invited all members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend the match, which officials described as an opportunity to celebrate Messi's two-decade international career. Messi, the nation's all-time record scorer with 125 goals, previously stated that his decision to retire was difficult but necessary.
Upcoming International Schedule
The match against Benin is the final fixture in a series of three friendlies for Argentina. The team is scheduled to face Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30 and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3. Messi, along with teammates Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul, is expected to join the squad specifically for the final match against Benin.
Disciplinary Context
The upcoming friendlies are expected to count toward suspensions issued following incidents after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain. Additionally, FIFA previously ordered Argentina to reduce stadium capacity by 50 percent for their next home match due to disciplinary code violations involving non-sporting demonstrations during a prior match against England.
Timeline
- September 30, 2026Argentina plays a friendly match against Bolivia in Cordoba.
- October 3, 2026Argentina plays a friendly match against Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires.
- October 6, 2026Lionel Messi is scheduled to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Hindu Sport, RTE Sport.
