Messi plays final Argentina match against Benin on October 6

Lionel Messi will conclude his international career on October 6, 2026, when Argentina faces Benin in a farewell friendly at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match, scheduled for 20:00 local time, marks the end of a 21-year career in which Messi made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals for Argentina—records for the national team.

The event has been designed as a ceremonial farewell. Approximately 85,000 spectators are expected to fill the stadium, which will be sold out. Members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup championship squad and their families have been invited to attend and pay tribute to Messi. The pre-match festivities will begin at 17:30 and include performances by multiple Argentine musicians including UPDR, Amar Azul, Los Fundamentalistas, Santi Cairo, Q' Lokura, Damas Gratis, and Soledad Pastorutti. After the match concludes, there will be a drone show, pyrotechnics, and a final musical performance by Ulises Bueno. Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, will present gifts to Messi.

Messi will wear a specially designed jersey for the occasion—featuring vertical celeste and white stripes with the Sun of May, and his number and name in gold—which will not be commercially sold but will become part of his personal collection. Coach Lionel Scaloni has indicated he will field a strong starting lineup including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, midfielder Enzo Fernández, and forward Lautaro Martínez alongside Messi. Notably, defender Nicolás Otamendi will also retire from international football in this match.

Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31, 2026, following Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final. During his career, he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, and an Olympic gold medal in 2008. He also led Argentina to World Cup finals in 2014 and 2026. The match against Benin will be Argentina's final fixture in this FIFA international break, following victories over Bolivia (4-0) and Burkina Faso (7-0) in earlier matches.