Lionel Messi to play final Argentina match against Benin on October 6
Quick Look
- Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina on October 6 against Benin in Buenos Aires, as announced by the Argentine Football Association.
- The farewell game is part of a series of friendlies during the international break, which also includes matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso.
- Messi is also expected to play for Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup final against Cruz Azul on Wednesday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team earlier this month, setting up his final appearance against Benin on October 6 as a farewell match.
Lionel Messi will play his last-ever match with Argentina on Oct. 6 against Benin at the Estadio Monumental of Buenos Aires after the Argentinian legend announced his retirement from the national team earlier this month. The team led by Lionel Scaloni will play three friendly matches during the international break starting next week, and Messi was included in the squad as Argentinian FA president Claudio Tapia announced on his social media, "We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our team, our captain Lionel Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina."
Alongside Messi, the 2022 world champions will also feature in the celebrations of the Argentinian icon. "Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso will join the squad for the final friendly match on October 6th. The list of players called up from the domestic league will be announced on Friday", the statement said.
Scaloni's squad will face Bolivia at the Mario Kempes Stadium on Sept. 30 in Cordoba before going to Buenos Aires to host Burkina Faso on Oct. 3. The game against Bolivia will be played with a capacity reduced by 50% in the standings as part of the FIFA sanctions for what happened during the 2026 World Cup for the post-game altercation from Argentina players.
Messi is also expected to see the field Wednesday, when Inter Miami face Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup final at Miami's Nu Stadium.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Lionel Messi will start and play a significant portion of the match against Benin on October 6
Very likely · Within days
The match against Bolivia on September 30 will have reduced attendance due to 50% capacity limits from FIFA sanctions
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Messi play the full 90 minutes in his final match?
- What specific tributes or ceremonies are planned for Messi's farewell?
- How will the reduced capacity for the Bolivia match due to FIFA sanctions affect attendance?
