Messi to play final Argentina match against Benin in October
Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina's squad for a friendly with Benin on 6 October, which will serve as his international farewell. The 39-year-old retired from national duty in August after the World Cup final defeat and his father's death. The match is set for River Plate's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.
The farewell fixture at River Plate's Monumental stadium will reunite Messi with the core of the squad that lifted the 2022 World Cup, as Argentina's FA has invited those champions to attend the occasion. The match against Benin follows Argentina's recent friendlies against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, which will serve to complete the team's FIFA disciplinary sanction requiring reduced stadium capacity for two home matches.
Messi's international career ends with remarkable statistical dominance, as he holds both the scoring and appearance records for Argentina with 125 goals across 207 caps. His retirement follows a turbulent period that included the World Cup final loss to Spain and the death of his father Jorge, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner stating he had "nothing left to give" to the national team.
This farewell match could serve as a significant cultural moment for Argentine football fans, offering closure after Messi's abrupt retirement following personal tragedy and a painful World Cup final defeat. The event may reinforce national pride and unity, particularly as it celebrates a player widely regarded as the sport's greatest. However, the surrounding FIFA sanctions and player suspensions could temper the occasion, reminding audiences of the disciplinary issues that have shadowed Argentina's recent international campaigns.