Argentina have confirmed Lionel Messi’s inclusion in the squad for a friendly against Benin on 6 October, a match set to be the forward’s farewell to international football.
Messi, who announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August following the team’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and after the death of his father, Jorge, said the decision to stop playing for La Albiceleste hurt him “deeply” but that he had “given it my all” and had “nothing left to give”.
The 39‑year‑old, an eight‑time Ballon d’Or winner and current Inter Miami player, is Argentina’s all‑time leading scorer and most‑capped player with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia stated, “We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on 6 October here in Argentina.”
The match will be played at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which holds 85,000 spectators. Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners will also be invited to the game, which Tapia described as an “unforgettable” occasion.
Argentina have been ordered to play their next two home matches at 50 % capacity, a sanction partially suspended, for breaches of the FIFA disciplinary code during the World Cup. The punishment relates to non‑sporting demonstrations, team misconduct and discriminatory chants by supporters. Argentina’s next friendlies against Bolivia on 30 September in Cordoba and against Burkina Faso on 3 October in Buenos Aires should see the sanction served before the Benin game.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes and teammate Nahuel Molina are not expected to be available for the friendly, having received 10‑game and seven‑match suspensions respectively for on‑field clashes after the World Cup final loss to Spain.
Messi’s farewell match promises to be a historic moment for Argentine football, marking the end of an era for the nation’s most iconic player.
