Lionel Messi Set for Emotional Argentina Farewell Against Benin

Posted : 05 October 2026

Lionel Messi will bring his extraordinary Argentina career to a close on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old is set to make his final appearance in the famous blue-and-white shirt after more than 20 years representing his country.

The occasion is expected to be an emotional celebration, with Messi preparing to say goodbye to the national team in front of a packed home crowd. Members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families have also been invited to share the occasion with the captain who led the country to its third world title.

Messi leaves international football as Argentina's record appearance-maker and leading scorer, having accumulated 207 caps and 125 goals. His honours with the Albiceleste include the 2022 World Cup, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and the Finalis.

His decision to retire came after Argentina's heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi subsequently announced that he was ending his international career, saying the decision was painful but acknowledging that the time had arrived for a new generation to take over.

The farewell also represents a changing of the guard for Argentina. Lionel Scaloni must now begin preparing a team capable of competing without the player who has been the central figure of the country's most successful period in recent history.

Several members of the next generation have already begun making their mark. Argentina defeated Bolivia 4-0 before producing a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso, with young players such as Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni getting on the scoresheet.

Veterans including Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are expected to become increasingly important to the team. Romero is also in line to inherit the captain's armband from Messi as Argentina moves into a new era.

The future of the famous No. 10 shirt remains another major talking point. Scaloni has indicated that Argentina will not immediately hand Messi's number to another player, underlining the significance of his place in the national team's history.

Messi's future at club level remains separate from his international retirement. He is still under contract with Inter Miami, but Tuesday's meeting with Benin will mark the definitive end of his remarkable journey with Argentina.

Lionel Messi Set for Emotional Argentina Farewell Against Benin

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