Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina’s national football squad for an upcoming friendly against Benin on October 6, setting the stage for his 208th and final international appearance.
The fixture at River Plate’s 85,000-capacity Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires will serve as a official farewell for the 39-year-old captain, who announced his international retirement last month following a two-decade career with the national team.
“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 October 6 here in Argentina,” Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia said. Tapia added that all members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad have been invited to join Messi for the occasion.
Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer, having recorded 125 goals during an international tenure highlighted by victories at the 2022 World Cup as well as the 2021 and 2024 Copa America tournaments.
When announcing his international retirement in August, Messi noted that calling time on his national career was a painful but necessary step. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” he said. Following the death of his father, Jorge, last month, Messi also acknowledged having “serious doubts” about continuing to play football at any level for much longer.
matching schedule marks Argentina’s return to the pitch for the first time since losing the World Cup final to Spain. The national team will open a three-match home series against Bolivia on September 30 in Cordoba, followed by a fixture against Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3, before facing Benin.
The upcoming friendly series is also expected to count toward disciplinary suspensions handed down by authorities following incidents at the conclusion of the World Cup final against Spain. Midfielder Leandro Paredes was issued a 10-match ban, defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-game suspension, and Thiago Almada was suspended for one match. Earlier in the tournament, several Argentine players had drawn attention after holding up a banner reading “The Falklands are Argentine” following a 2-1 victory over England in the semifinals.
Messi’s inclusion in the squad for the October 6 match against Benin ensures he will make one final appearance before his home supporters in Buenos Aires to conclude his international playing career.
Sources
– Al Jazeera News: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/16/lionel-messi-set-for-argentina-farewell-in-oct-6-friendly-against-benin?traffic_source=rss
Source: Al Jazeera News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
