Lionel Messi set for Argentina farewell in October 6 friendly against Benin

What the report says

Lionel Messi has been selected for Argentina’s October 6 friendly against Benin, a match that the Argentine football association says will mark his final international appearance. According to Al Jazeera’s report, the game is scheduled for Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental, home of River Plate, and is expected to draw a large crowd as the country prepares to honor its captain.

Messi, 39, announced in August that he was stepping away from Argentina duty after a two-decade run with the national team. His international career includes the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and he is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals. The report says this will be his 208th appearance for the national side.

Argentina football chief Claudio Tapia framed the friendly as a proper farewell for Messi and said the federation wanted to recognize him in what it called an unforgettable occasion. Tapia also invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend. The team will play other friendlies in the same period, including matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso.

As broader context, the article notes that Argentina are also dealing with disciplinary issues from recent matches, including FIFA restrictions and suspensions affecting some players. Messi’s club contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the 2028 season.