Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell set for Benin friendly in Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi is expected to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin in October, after the world champions confirmed two home friendlies against African opposition.

Argentina will face Burkina Faso on 3 October before meeting Benin three days later at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. The matches will come after a fixture against Bolivia in Cordoba on 30 September, as part of the team’s next international gathering.

Messi, who retired from international football at the end of August, has been invited to play one last match for Argentina. That appearance is scheduled for the meeting with Benin, meaning he is not expected to feature against Burkina Faso.

The fixture will be a significant occasion for Benin’s Guepards. Facing one of the leading teams in world football would be notable in its own right, but becoming the final international opponents of a player who shaped more than two decades of Argentina’s history gives the match added importance.

The emotional focus surrounding the occasion will not overshadow its sporting value for Benin. Gernot Rohr will be able to assess his side against elite opposition as they continue to regain competitiveness under the German coach.

Rohr helped revive Benin’s campaign in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and also guided the country to qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Burkina Faso will have their own opportunity to test themselves against Argentina three days earlier. The Etalons will not face Messi, but the match remains a major examination for a side managed by Amir Abdou, who was appointed in the spring after his spell with Hassania d’Agadir.

Abdou made an impressive start to his tenure, overseeing a 5-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau in his first match in charge of Burkina Faso.

Although both African teams are part of the same programme, the two fixtures carry different significance. Messi’s widely anticipated international farewell has been arranged for the match against Benin, rather than the earlier meeting with Burkina Faso.

Argentina’s decision also continues a notable run of fixtures against African opposition. In the spring, they played friendlies against Mauritania, winning 2-1, and Zambia, winning 5-0.

Their 2026 World Cup campaign also brought matches against Algeria, whom they beat 3-0, Cape Verde, whom they defeated 3-2 after extra time, and Egypt, in another 3-2 victory.

The September and October fixtures will therefore add two more African opponents to an already extensive list from the year. Morocco could have joined them, but Argentina declined an offer to play in Rabat.