Lionel Messi to conclude 21-year Argentina career in farewell match against Benin

The farewell fixture in Buenos Aires

Argentina will face Benin on Tuesday evening at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires for Lionel Messi's final international match with the national team. The friendly fixture is scheduled for 20:00 local time (01:00 Wednesday in Spain), with 85,000 supporters expected to fill River Plate's home ground. The Argentine Football Association (AFA), led by president Claudio Tapia, arranged the match against Benin, ranked 89th in the FIFA rankings, to stage what Tapia titled "El último tango en Buenos Aires". All match tickets sold out within two hours of release, prompting the national federation to construct an auxiliary fan festival at the nearby Ciudad Universitaria featuring live music, interactive games, and food stalls. Messi was included in the squad solely for this celebratory fixture, having sat out Argentina's earlier international window matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso.

Tributes and stadium ceremonies

Messi will wear a commemorative Albiceleste jersey tailored specifically for the occasion, featuring a vertical flag pattern with the Sol de Mayo at the centre and laurel branches surrounding the number 10. Tributes began on Sunday evening when teammates and the technical staff organized an asado at the AFA training complex. In Messi's home city of Rosario, a giant jersey displaying the number 10 and the word "Gracias" was unfurled across the Monumento a la Bandera on Monday morning. Stadium proceedings will incorporate pre-match musical performances, followed by a post-match ceremony involving a commemorative plaque, a presentation jersey, a retrospective video, and a farewell address from the player. Broadcast rights in Spain are held by Movistar Plus, featuring commentary from Adolfo Barbero and Julio Maldonado.

Career statistics and international honours

The encounter brings an end to an international career that began in August 2005 during a friendly against Hungary. Across 21 years with the senior team, the 39-year-old forward registered 207 caps, 125 goals, and 68 assists. His trophy record with Argentina encompasses six titles: the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, two Copa América championships in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, an Olympic gold medal from Beijing 2008, and the 2005 Under-20 World Cup. Over his career, the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient participated in six World Cups, reaching three finals, and contested five Copa América finals.

Retirement announcement and squad preparations

Messi announced his retirement from international football on 31 August 2026, following Argentina's defeat against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The forward released a message to explain his departure from national team duty.

It was a decision that hurt and hurts in the soul, but I understand that it is the moment.

He arrived at Ezeiza airport via private flight on Friday, three days ahead of schedule, before joining training sessions on Sunday and Monday alongside squad members such as Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, and Nicolás Otamendi under manager Lionel Scaloni. While his national team career ends at the Monumental, Messi remains under contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami through 2028.