Lionel Messi is set to make a farewell appearance for Argentina in October after the 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football, with Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia confirming the plans on Tuesday.
Messi has been included in Argentina’s plans for a home friendly against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, giving supporters the opportunity to see their captain in the national shirt one final time.
“We invited the best player in the world to play, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina,” Tapia said in a message confirming the decision.
Messi to Receive Argentina Farewell
The decision comes shortly after Messi formally announced the end of his Argentina career. The AFA described his departure as the conclusion of a more than two-decade international journey that included major trophies and records.
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and went on to become the country’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer. His international career included the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.
He also played a prominent role in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign, with the team reaching the final before finishing as runners-up.
Argentina Begin Post-Messi Era
Argentina’s next generation will begin adjusting to life without their long-time captain during the September and October international windows. The team is scheduled to face Bolivia on September 30 before meetings with Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6.
Messi’s appearance against Benin will therefore carry significance beyond a routine friendly. It will give supporters a chance to celebrate a player who became the central figure of Argentina’s most successful period in recent international football.
The AFA has also indicated that members of the Argentina team that won the 2022 World Cup are expected to accompany Messi and their families for the farewell occasion.
For Argentina, the October fixture will mark the closing of one of the defining chapters in the history of the national team. For Messi, it is expected to provide a final opportunity to wear the famous blue and white in front of supporters at home.
Lionel Scaloni’s squad list for the upcoming friendlies 🇦🇷 https://t.co/lAnthh9tnQ
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) September 15, 2026
