Lionel Messi set for Argentina farewell in Benin friendly

Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina’s squad for a friendly against Benin on 6 October, which is expected to mark his final appearance for the national team.

The 39-year-old announced his international retirement in August after a two-decade career with Argentina that saw him win the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia said Messi had been invited to receive the farewell he deserved.

“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 here in Argentina,” Tapia said.

The match against Benin will be played at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which has a capacity of about 85,000.

Tapia has also invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend the occasion, which he described as an “unforgettable” event.

Messi is expected to make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina. He is already the country’s record goalscorer, with 125 goals.

Argentina will begin a series of three friendlies with a meeting against Bolivia in Cordoba on 30 September, followed by a game against Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on 3 October.

Messi’s international farewell is expected to come three days later against Benin.

His decision to retire followed a difficult period personally, including the death of his father, Jorge, last month. Messi had previously admitted that he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football for much longer.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi said when announcing his retirement from international football.

Messi remains under contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season.

Argentina’s upcoming fixtures will also come against the backdrop of disciplinary sanctions imposed following incidents surrounding their World Cup campaign.

Fifa recently ordered Argentina to play their next home match at 50% capacity after breaches of its disciplinary code relating to demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.

The sanction followed an incident after Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England in July, when several players held up a banner reading: “The Falklands are Argentine.”

The friendlies could also count towards suspensions imposed after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension, while defender Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches and Thiago Almada for one.