Lionel Messi Set for Argentina Farewell Against Benin on October 6

Lionel Messi will make his farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin on October 6 after being included in the national squad for the upcoming friendlies.

The 39-year-old announced his international retirement last month after a career spanning more than two decades. His Argentina career includes the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia confirmed the farewell plans.

“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi,” Tapia said.

Messi to Receive Monumental Farewell

The Benin match will take place at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The stadium can accommodate around 85,000 spectators. Tapia has also invited Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to join Messi for the occasion.

The match will give Argentina fans an opportunity to celebrate Messi’s international career on home soil.

Argentina Schedule Three Friendlies

Argentina will begin the October international window against Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30.

The team will then face Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3. The Benin fixture will complete the three-match series on October 6.

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Messi is expected to feature only in the farewell match. He will make his final appearance after Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final.

Record-Breaking Argentina Career

Messi has made 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals. He remains the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

His international career includes four major titles. Argentina won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 before lifting the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The 2026 World Cup final against Spain marked his most recent competitive appearance for the national team.

Messi’s Final Decision

Messi announced his retirement from international football in August.

The decision followed more than 20 years of representing Argentina. He had previously spoken about the emotional demands of continuing at the highest level.

His father, Jorge Messi, also died recently. Messi had subsequently expressed uncertainty about continuing to play football for much longer.

Meanwhile, his club career continues with Inter Miami. His contract with the Major League Soccer side runs through the 2028 season.

FIFA Sanctions Argentina

Argentina will also begin the upcoming friendly series under FIFA disciplinary restrictions.

FIFA ordered the team to play its next home match at 50 per cent stadium capacity following breaches of its disciplinary code.

The sanctions relate to demonstrations of a non-sporting nature during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign.

Argentina also has players serving suspensions from incidents following the World Cup final against Spain.

Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension. Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban, while Thiago Almada was suspended for one game.

Messi’s final appearance against Benin will therefore mark the end of an international career that has produced major titles, records and a lasting place in Argentina football history.