River Plate will collect its standard 10 per cent cut of matchday revenue and remain free of stadium operating expenses for Argentina’s upcoming farewell fixture for Lionel Messi at the Estadio Monumental. The decision follows a rejected proposal from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) asking the club to waive its stadium rental fee for the high-profile international match.
Claudio Tapia Requests Free Stadium Rental for Messi Farewell
During a recent meeting of the Argentine Football Association’s Executive Committee, Claudio Fabián Tapia asked River Plate’s second vice-president, Ignacio Villarroel, to donate the rental rights for the Estadio Monumental. The request centered on Argentina’s final appearance with Lionel Messi, setting up a clash between the governing body and one of the country’s flagship clubs.
Official association documentation later outlined the proposal, stating that the president requested that the stadium rental rights be ceded so that the AFA and the club could jointly make a charitable donation in honor of the player. The fixture, scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at 20:00 local time against Benin, drew massive demand, selling out its 85,000 capacity at the Núñez venue almost instantly.
River Plate Rejects AFA Proposal and Insists on Standard Matchday Terms
Executives inside River Plate evaluated the request and ultimately issued a flat refusal. According to reporting by journalist Fabian De Cesare, the club will receive its standard 10 per cent share of the total gate receipts from the Benin friendly, completely free of expenses. Viamonte officials will absorb all operational costs associated with the event.
Club directors viewed the initial request with considerable skepticism. Sources within Núñez described the demand to forfeit roughly $500,000 in rental revenue as an attempt by the governing body to test the club’s resolve using Messi as an anchor. Board members noted an apparent contradiction in the AFA's stance, pointing out that ticket prices for the farewell match remain high—projecting a total gate of approximately $6,000,000—making a mandatory charitable gesture from the host club appear politically motivated rather than purely philanthropic.
Match Details and Operational Arrangements for October 6
With the financial terms settled under traditional matchday agreements, the Estadio Monumental prepares to host more than 85,000 supporters for Messi’s final appearance with the Albiceleste. The venue operates under its standard hosting protocols for Argentina national team fixtures, guaranteeing the club its contracted percentage while the association covers all logistical and organizational outlays.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dispute
How much revenue is River Plate entitled to collect from the match?
River Plate will receive 10 per cent of the total gate revenue from the Argentina versus Benin friendly, free of any operational or stadium expenses.
What was the estimated value of the stadium rental requested by the AFA?
Club evaluations valued the waived stadium rental fee at just under $500,000 USD, which would have gone uncollected by River Plate under the association’s initial proposal.
When and where is Lionel Messi’s farewell match scheduled to take place?
The fixture against Benin is set for Tuesday, October 6, at 20:00 local time at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with an expected attendance exceeding 85,000 spectators.
What reason did the AFA give for requesting the waived rental fee?
The Argentine Football Association stated through official bulletins that the rental rights should be ceded to enable a joint charitable donation by the AFA and the club in honor of Lionel Messi.
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