Messi to Play Emotional Farewell for Argentina Against Benin
Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old is expected to bid farewell to international football in front of more than 85,000 fans, with kick-off at 4:30 AM IST on October 7.
Messi has scored 125 goals for Argentina and led the country to the 2022 World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. Coach Lionel Scaloni said the occasion will be emotional for the whole squad, calling Messi the greatest player to wear the shirt.
The farewell comes after Argentina secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, where Messi could still feature. But Tuesday’s friendly is being billed as his last home appearance in national colours. Fans have snapped up tickets within hours, and tributes are planned across the stadium. For a generation of Argentines, it will be the end of an era that began with his debut in 2005.
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