Lionel Messi Set for Argentina Farewell Against Benin

Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old forward will bring an end to more than two decades with the national team, closing one of the most decorated international careers in football history. Messi will enter the match as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 207 international appearances, 125 goals and a record 68 assists. His Argentina career includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Final

Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the world champions face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old forward will bring an end to more than two decades with the national team, closing one of the most decorated international careers in football history. Messi will enter the match as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 207 international appearances, 125 goals and a record 68 assists. His Argentina career includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima, achievements that completed a remarkable journey after years of disappointment with the national team. The farewell comes just two and a half months after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain. Messi left the pitch in tears after the defeat, but his international career will now receive a more celebratory ending in front of around 85,000 supporters in Buenos Aires. Several members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad are expected to be present, including former captain Ángel Di María, while a new generation of players prepares to take greater responsibility. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has already begun preparing the team for life after Messi. Cristian Romero is expected to inherit the captain’s armband, while players such as Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez are among those expected to become central figures in the next era. “Collectively, we will try to fill the void left by Leo,” Scaloni said. Messi’s final match will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the teammates who shared some of the biggest moments of his international career. Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are also part of the squad for the Benin match, with uncertainty over whether they will represent Argentina again. The transition has already begun. Argentina defeated Bolivia 4-0 before producing a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso, with young players including Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni scoring their first international goals. Mastantuono and other emerging talents were not even born when Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005. Now, they face the challenge of carrying forward an era that has been defined by Messi’s presence. For the Argentine captain, however, Tuesday will be less about what comes next and more about closing a chapter that has lasted more than 20 years. Messi announced his international retirement in August, saying he had given everything he could for Argentina and that the country’s emerging generation deserved its opportunity. Against Benin, he will wear the famous blue and white shirt for the final time.