Argentina will host Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in an international friendly that marks the international farewell of Lionel Messi, who ends a 21-year career with the Albiceleste after more than 200 appearances. According to reporting from infobae.com, the match takes place at a sold-out Estadio Monumental starting at 20:00 local time (23:00 GMT), with referee Fernando Véjar of Chile officiating.
The Monumental Prepares for Messi’s Final Appearance
Tickets for the farewell match sold out within minutes, setting the stage for an emotional night in Buenos Aires. Infobae.com reported that Messi, 39, enters the fixture with 207 caps for his country, a number that will reach 208 on Tuesday night. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has planned extensive tributes, and the squad will wear a specially designed Adidas kit honoring the forward’s career.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni spent the team’s recent friendlies against Bolivia and Burkina Faso evaluating younger prospects and squad depth. During those fixtures, the Albiceleste recorded a 4-0 victory over Bolivia and a 7-0 win against Burkina Faso. Those matches featured international debuts for left-back Román Vega of Zenit and young Boca Juniors attacker Leonel Flores, alongside extended minutes for Gianluca Prestianni, Nicolás Paz, and Valentín Barco. For Tuesday’s fixture, Scaloni is expected to reintegrate veteran core players who sat out the earlier friendlies, including Rodrigo de Paul, Nicolás Otamendi, and Nicolás González.
Benin Arrives in South America Following African Cup Qualifiers
While Benin is not considered a continental powerhouse, the squad features players distributed across European and international leagues, spanning France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Romania, as well as stops in Egypt, Azerbaijan, and the United States. Midfielder Junior Olaitan of Turkish club Beşiktaş stands as the squad’s most valuable player, carrying a market valuation of 7 million euros. Other notable figures include Lorient forward Aiyegun Tosin and captain Sessi D’Almeida, a veteran midfielder who plays for Neftçi Baku in Azerbaijan.
Benin Seeks Competitive Result in Historic Match Against Argentina
Benin captain Steve Mounié, a forward who plays for German club Augsburg, acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion during interviews with local media. Mounié described the fixture as a historic opportunity for his national team, noting that it marks the first time Benin will play a match against a non-African opponent. The Cheetahs arrived in Buenos Aires determined to compete rather than serve as mere ceremony participants.
Probable tactical setups point to an experienced Argentina side facing a youthful, mobile Benin outfit. Scaloni’s projected starting XI includes Emiliano Martínez in goal, supported by Agustín Giay, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Nicolás Tagliafico in defense. The midfield is expected to feature Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, and Rodrigo De Paul, while the attack lines up with Nicolás González, Lionel Messi, and Lautaro Martínez.
