Lionel Messi Set for Final Argentina Appearance in Friendly Against Benin

Lionel Messi will play his final international football match for Argentina against Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. The game starts at 4:30 AM IST and marks the end of a long international career for the 39-year-old player, who will lead his team in front of a full stadium with his 2022 World Cup-winning teammates and their families present. Messi announced his international retirement on August 31, following Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey. The Argentine Football Association asked him to return for one final match to give him a proper send-off, and thousands of fans are expected to attend. The AFA stated that the event will go beyond sports and be filled with emotion. Messi holds national records with 207 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists for La Albiceleste, and his trophy list includes the 2008 Olympic gold, the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, and the 2022 Finalissima. He also played in a record-tying six World Cups.

Departures

Alongside Messi, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi will also retire from international play, and midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso may wear the Argentina shirt for the final time. Argentina is currently ranked second in the world, while Benin is ranked 89th and is coached by Gernot Rohr, who previously led Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup. Messi posted photos of his final training sessions online, writing about moments he knows he will miss. He previously retired briefly in 2016 before winning his major international trophies, and he continues to play for Inter Miami, where he recently won the Campeones Cup. In India, live streaming for the match will be available on ZEE5 with no television broadcast.

Context

Farewell matches for legendary athletes allow fans and national associations to celebrate a player's career history before they transition fully to club commitments or retirement. Argentina's match against Benin brings a high-profile closing chapter to an era that included multiple global titles for the South American side.