Buenos Aires is preparing to fill the Monumental for Lionel Messi’s final appearance in Argentina colours, with every one of the stadium’s 85,000 seats sold within 90 minutes for Tuesday’s friendly against Benin.
The 39-year-old will bring a 21-year international career to a close on 6 October, when Lionel Scaloni’s side return to Núñez for a match built around the farewell of their record scorer. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 Brasília time.
Argentina shaped the entire October international window around the occasion. Messi did not take part in the preceding friendly wins, a 4-0 result against Bolivia and a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso’s under-23 team, allowing him to focus on his final night with the national side.
A Monumental farewell
A specially produced Argentina shirt will be worn for the fixture, combining references to the national flag with details from Messi’s two decades representing his country.
Players from the 2022 World Cup-winning squad have been invited to share the evening. Nicolás Otamendi, who stepped away from international football after the 2026 World Cup, is set to return, as is Ángel Di María, whose own Argentina retirement came earlier.
Two World Cup winners will not be available. Roma did not release Paulo Dybala or Nahuel Molina for the match.
Benin arrive after a 25-hour journey and will use the meeting with the world champions as a rare international showcase. Their coach, Gernot Rohr, takes his side into one of football’s most emotionally charged arenas against an Argentina team expected to give Messi a central role.
From difficult beginnings to a full trophy cabinet
Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 and appeared at his first World Cup in Germany the following year. His route to international glory, however, was marked by prolonged frustration.
Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final and were beaten in the Copa América finals of 2015 and 2016. After that third successive runners-up finish, Messi briefly announced his retirement from the national team before public support and encouragement from within the squad persuaded him to continue.
There was another setback at the 2018 World Cup, where Argentina went out in the round of 16. Under Scaloni, the picture changed. Messi’s first major senior title arrived at the 2021 Copa América, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã.
The World Cup in Qatar followed in 2022, before Argentina retained the Copa América in 2024. Messi also played a leading part in the country’s run to second place at the 2026 World Cup.
His final figures stand at 125 goals from 207 appearances, making the Inter Miami forward Argentina’s all-time leading scorer.
Expected line-ups
Argentina are expected to start: Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Cristian Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Lo Celso; Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Benin are expected to start: Dandjinou; Ouorou, Roche, Tijani, Azongnitode; D’Almeida, Imourane, Aloko, Olaitan, Ouorou; Tosin. Coach: Gernot Rohr.
The match will be played at the Monumental de Núñez in Buenos Aires and will be shown live by sportv and ge tv.
