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Argentine football icon Lionel Messi is scheduled to wear the national team jersey for the final time on October 6, when Argentina faces Benin in an international friendly arranged to celebrate his illustrious career. The fixture will serve as a formal send-off for the veteran playmaker, who officially announced his departure from international competition last month.
The 39-year-old superstar confirmed in August that he was stepping down from international duties after spending two decades representing his country. During that span, Messi transformed into the definitive figurehead of Argentine sports, guiding the team through historic tournaments and delivering long-awaited silverware to the South American nation.
The commemorative match against Benin will take place in Buenos Aires at River Plate’s famed Estadio Monumental, a venue capable of holding 85,000 spectators. The occasion is anticipated to draw widespread attention as supporters prepare to bid farewell to their long-serving captain on home soil.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), affirmed the decision to host the event, praising Messi’s extraordinary contributions to the sport and the country. Tapia described Messi as the finest player in the world, the enduring symbol of the national squad, and an exceptional captain who thoroughly earned a dedicated tribute before his home fans.
In addition to planning the fixture itself, Tapia extended a special invitation to all members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad. The football chief expressed his desire to assemble the championship-winning group in Buenos Aires, ensuring that the occasion serves as an unforgettable celebration of Messi's collective achievements with his international peers.
The upcoming farewell will mark Messi’s 208th and final appearance in an Argentina shirt. Over his 20-year tenure at the senior level, the forward firmly etched his name in the record books, becoming the country’s all-time top goalscorer with an unprecedented tally of 125 goals.
Throughout his international journey, Messi spearheaded a period of remarkable success for La Albiceleste. His crowning achievement came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina lifted the global trophy, complementing his regional triumphs in both the 2021 and 2024 editions of the Copa America.
Reflecting on his departure from the squad, Messi acknowledged the immense emotional weight behind the choice to step aside. When announcing the conclusion of his international playing days, he admitted that walking away caused deep personal heartache, though he maintained that the timing was appropriate for both himself and the future of the team.
The decision also followed significant personal loss. Messi’s father, Jorge, passed away in August at the age of 68 following an extended illness. In the wake of his father's death, the attacker openly shared that he harbored serious doubts regarding how much longer he would continue playing competitive football in any capacity.
While his international career is drawing to a close, Messi remains committed to club football. The veteran forward is currently contracted with Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami, where his existing deal is slated to run through the conclusion of the 2028 season.
The match against Benin is part of a broader three-game friendly series organized for Argentina. The national team will first take the field against Bolivia on September 30 in Cordoba, marking their return to action following their loss to Spain in the World Cup final. The squad will then return to Buenos Aires to take on Burkina Faso on October 3.
Messi has been selected specifically for the third contest of the window against Benin, allowing the federation and supporters to focus their appreciation on his final competitive outing in front of the home crowd.
However, the upcoming home matches come amid administrative and disciplinary hurdles for the Argentine federation. FIFA previously sanctioned Argentina by mandating a 50 percent capacity reduction for their next home fixture due to breaches of its disciplinary code, specifically involving non-sporting political demonstrations during the World Cup.
That penalty stemmed from Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup semifinal victory over England in July, after which several players displayed a banner declaring that the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina.
Furthermore, the friendly slate is set to absorb suspensions issued in the aftermath of the contentious World Cup final defeat against Spain. Disciplinary measures handed down by authorities include a 10-match ban for midfielder Leandro Paredes, a seven-game suspension for defender Nahuel Molina, and a one-match sanction for Thiago Almada.
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