Lionel Messi will conclude his 21-year international career in a friendly match against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi is set to make his final international appearance for his country in a friendly match against Benin. The 39-year-old will play at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, a venue where he has recorded 22 wins and six draws in 28 appearances. The match marks the end of a 21-year international career for the forward.

Career Legacy and Records

Messi holds the record for the most appearances for Argentina with 207 matches and is the highest-scoring South American player in international football with 125 goals. Throughout his career, he has secured six international trophies, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa America titles, and an Olympic gold medal. He also holds the record for the most World Cup appearances at 34 matches.

Performance at Monumental Stadium

The Monumental Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 85,000, is the venue where Messi has scored the most goals for the national team. He has tallied 19 goals at the stadium, including his first international goal there against Uruguay in 2008 and hat-tricks against Bolivia in 2021 and 2024.

World Cup Achievements

Messi competed in six World Cups between 2006 and 2026. During the 2026 tournament, he helped Argentina reach the final, where the team finished as runners-up following a 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain. He has scored 21 total World Cup goals, ranking second on the competition's all-time list behind Kylian Mbappe.