Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad against Benin on October 6, with the match to mark his farewell appearance for the team.
The 39-year-old forward announced his retirement from international football in August after a two-decade career with Argentina that included the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024.
Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia confirmed that Messi had been invited to make his final appearance at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
“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,” Tapia said.
Argentina have also invited members of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to join Messi for the occasion.
The Benin fixture will be the third of Argentina’s three scheduled friendlies. The world champions will first face Bolivia in Córdoba on September 30, before playing Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.
Messi is expected to make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina against Benin. He currently holds the national team’s records for both appearances and goals, having scored 125 times.
His international career has included four major senior trophies: the 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa América.
The farewell match will take place against the backdrop of a FIFA disciplinary ruling that ordered Argentina to reduce the capacity of their next home fixture by 50 percent following breaches of its disciplinary code.
The October 6 fixture is expected to provide the occasion for Argentina to formally celebrate Messi’s international career after more than two decades representing the national team.
