Messi scheduled for Argentina farewell against Benin in Buenos Aires
The Argentina captain has been included in the squad for a 6 October friendly at the Estadio Monumental, which the AFA president has described as his farewell.
Lionel Messi is scheduled to play what is expected to be his final match for Argentina against Benin on 6 October at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental, according to CBS Sports.
Messi was included in Argentina’s squad after reportedly announcing his retirement from international football earlier this month. Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, described the fixture as a farewell for the team’s captain.
Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are also expected to join Messi for the final friendly. The Argentina Football Association said players called up from the domestic league would be announced separately.
The match is part of an international window in which Argentina is scheduled to play three friendlies. Lionel Scaloni’s side is due to face Bolivia in Córdoba on 30 September before hosting Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on 3 October.
The Bolivia fixture is expected to be played before a reduced crowd because of FIFA sanctions linked to an incident involving Argentina players during the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup under Scaloni. The available material does not establish whether Messi will start against Benin or how many minutes he will play, and the farewell remains subject to his own confirmation and any subsequent change.
