Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina in a farewell match against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, according to an announcement by the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The decision comes roughly a month and a half after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his retirement from international football at age 39 following the Albiceleste’s campaign in the 2026 World Cup.
The Final Curtain at Estadio Monumental
A 28-Man Squad and a Strictly Limited Role
The AFA unveiled a 28-man squad under manager Lionel Scaloni covering three upcoming fixtures: a fixture against Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30, followed by matches against Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6 in the capital. While Messi is named in the broader squad list, federation officials confirmed he will participate exclusively in the final fixture against Benin at the 85,000-capacity home ground of River Plate.
Orchestrating a Proper Send-Off on Home Soil
In a video published on the official social media channels of the Argentina national team, AFA President Claudio Tapia explained the rationale behind the special fixture. In agreement with Scaloni, leadership elected to invite the team’s captain and long-serving talisman so he could receive a proper send-off on home soil following his decision to step away from the national team.
World Cup Champions Invited to an Unforgettable Evening
Tapia added that all members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad have received invitations to attend the fixture alongside their families to accompany the forward during what the federation described as an unforgettable evening. The tribute follows a difficult conclusion to Messi’s international career, which included a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in early August.
Closing the Chapter on a Historic International Career
Messi officially announced his retirement on August 29 via social media, describing it as a painful choice while acknowledging that the timing was correct. Over an international career spanning 207 appearances, the former Barcelona star scored 125 goals for Argentina, collecting a Copa America title in 2021, another in 2024, and the 2022 World Cup crown.
Ticketing and Squad Updates Ahead of the Break
Supporters wishing to track further squad updates or ticketing announcements can monitor official announcements directly through the Argentine Football Association channels.
Keep reading
