Lionel Messi is set to receive an emotional farewell from Argentina after being included in the national squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6, 2026, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The announcement comes shortly after the legendary forward confirmed his retirement from international football. The upcoming fixture will give Messi an opportunity to wear Argentina’s famous blue-and-white shirt in front of home supporters one final time.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed Messi’s inclusion in the squad, with AFA president Claudio Tapia saying the decision was made to give the captain the farewell he deserves.
Messi’s Final Argentina Appearance
The October 6 fixture against Benin is expected to mark Messi’s 208th and final appearance for Argentina. He currently holds the country’s record for international goals, with 125 goals in 207 appearances, according to FIFA and AFP.
Messi’s international career has stretched across more than two decades and included some of the biggest achievements in Argentina’s football history.
Among his major international successes are:
- 🏆 2021 Copa América
- 🏆 2022 FIFA World Cup
- 🏆 2024 Copa América
- ⚽ 125 international goals
- 🇦🇷 207 appearances for Argentina
His 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar was particularly significant, completing one of the most celebrated chapters of his international career.
Argentina vs Benin: A Special Night in Buenos Aires
The farewell match will take place at Estadio Monumental, home of River Plate, in Buenos Aires. The stadium can accommodate around 85,000 spectators, making it an appropriate setting for what is expected to be a major celebration of Messi’s international career.
Argentina’s October schedule also includes friendlies against Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3. Messi is specifically set to be part of the squad for the October 6 match against Benin.
The AFA has also invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families to attend the occasion, adding another emotional element to Messi’s farewell.
The End of an Extraordinary International Era
Messi’s Argentina career has featured dramatic highs and difficult moments. After several heartbreaking defeats earlier in his career, he eventually helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 before leading the team to World Cup glory in 2022.
His international journey ultimately became one of the defining stories of modern football.
FIFA records Messi as having made his Argentina debut in 2005, when he was 18. More than two decades later, his final appearance is set to take place in front of supporters in Buenos Aires.
Fans Prepare for Messi’s Final Tango
For Argentina supporters, the Benin friendly is likely to be about more than the result.
It will provide an opportunity to celebrate a player who has spent the majority of his career representing the national team. The AFA has described the occasion as the farewell Messi deserves, while the invitation to the 2022 World Cup champions adds to the significance of the event.
As Messi prepares to step onto the pitch in Argentina’s colors one final time, attention will turn toward a historic night at the Monumental — one designed to celebrate an extraordinary international career.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell against Benin on October 6 promises to be a powerful and emotional moment for football fans. After more than two decades, major international trophies and countless unforgettable performances, Messi will have the chance to say goodbye to the Argentina supporters on home soil.
The match could become one of the most memorable farewell occasions in Argentina’s football history.
