Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina’s squad for an October 6 friendly against Benin, which will mark his final appearance for the national team.
Buenos Aires, Argentina (Running Africa) — Lionel Messi will return to Argentina’s squad for a farewell match against Benin on October 6, giving supporters in Buenos Aires a final opportunity to see the World Cup winner represent his country following his international retirement.
The 39-year-old forward will feature at Estadio Monumental despite announcing the end of his Argentina career in August.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso will participate specifically in the final friendly of the upcoming international window.
Lionel Messi Set for Argentina Farewell Against Benin
AFA president Claudio Tapia said Messi had been invited back to receive the farewell he deserved in Argentina.
The Benin friendly is expected to mark Messi’s 208th appearance for the national team, according to reports, concluding an international career spanning more than two decades.
Argentina will first face Bolivia on September 30, then play Burkina Faso on October 3, and Benin on October 6.
The Bolivia fixture will be played at reduced capacity due to FIFA sanctions stemming from incidents during the 2026 World Cup.
Messi Retired From Argentina Duty in August
Messi announced his international retirement on August 31, saying the decision was painful but that he believed he had given everything to the national team.
His career with Argentina included some of the biggest achievements in international football.
Messi captained his country to the 2021 Copa América before winning the Final and FIFA World Cup in 2022. Argentina later added another Copa América title in 2024.
Those victories transformed the closing years of an international career that had previously included several defeats in major finals.
Benin to Feature in Messi’s Final Argentina Appearance
The October 6 friendly will also put Benin at the center of a significant moment in football history.
For Argentina supporters, the match at the Monumental will provide a final opportunity to see Messi in the national-team shirt on home soil.
For African football, Benin will have the distinction of providing the opposition as one of the sport’s most decorated players brings his international career to a close.
