Lionel Messi to have farewell match with Argentina against Benin in October
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 9:53 PM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Lionel Messi will play his final match for the Argentina national team on October 6 against Benin. The friendly will take place at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, allowing local fans to bid farewell to the star. This announcement follows Messi's international retirement declared last month. AFA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the details of the match in a video, emphasizing Messi's status as an emblem of the national team.
- •Messi announced his retirement from international duty in August.
- •The farewell match is scheduled for October 6 at the Monumental.
- •Argentina faces Benin in this friendly match.
- •AFA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the match details in a video.
- 10:28 PMThe Guardian Sport — Lionel Messi called up by Argentina to make farewell appearance in friendly
- 10:25 PMESPN — Messi named to Argentina squad for Oct. 6 farewell game
- 10:17 PMCBS Sports — Lionel Messi to play his last-ever Argentina match in October in friendly in Buenos Aires
- 8:35 PMYahoo Sports — Argentina sending Lionel Messi off with farewell game in October vs. Benin
"Argentina will host Benin in October in Buenos Aires AFA president invites Messi to enjoy ‘deserved farewell’ Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina to make a farewell appearance in a home friendly in October following his international retirement, the Argentinian football association (AFA) has confirmed. “We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our selection, our captain Lionel Andrés Messi, to have a deserved farewell on 6 October, here in Argentina,” the AFA president, Claudio Tapia, said on social media. Continue reading...
"Despite announcing his international retirement, Lionel Messi was included Tuesday in Argentina's squad for a farewell friendly against Benin on October 6.
"Lionel Messi announced in August that he is retiring from international duty, but he will have one last goodbye in front of local fans.
Sources
External links- ESPNSep 15, 2026, 10:25 PMMessi named to Argentina squad for Oct. 6 farewell game
Despite announcing his international retirement, Lionel Messi was included Tuesday in Argentina's squad for a farewell friendly against Benin on October 6.
- The Guardian SportSep 15, 2026, 10:28 PMLionel Messi called up by Argentina to make farewell appearance in friendly
Argentina will host Benin in October in Buenos Aires AFA president invites Messi to enjoy ‘deserved farewell’ Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina to make a farewell appearance in a home friendly in October following his international retirement, the Argentinian football association (AFA) has confirmed. “We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our selection, our captain Lionel Andrés Messi, to have a deserved farewell on 6 October, here in Argentina,” the AFA president, Claudio Tapia, said on social media. Continue reading...
- CBS SportsSep 15, 2026, 10:17 PMLionel Messi to play his last-ever Argentina match in October in friendly in Buenos Aires
The Argentinian legend will play his farewell game with the Albiceleste at the Monumental
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 8:35 PMArgentina sending Lionel Messi off with farewell game in October vs. Benin
Lionel Messi announced in August that he is retiring from international duty, but he will have one last goodbye in front of local fans.
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