Buenos Aires is preparing for a night shaped by celebration as much as farewell. Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina on home soil at the Monumental, where the world champions meet Benin in a friendly scheduled for 1am between Tuesday and Wednesday in Spain.
The 39-year-old will wear Argentina’s No. 10 for one last domestic occasion, ending a 21-year international journey before a full stadium. Tickets sold out despite record prices, while resale demand has surged around the occasion.
Quick facts
- Argentina face Benin at the Monumental in Messi’s last home match for the national team.
- The game is Argentina’s third friendly during the current FIFA window.
- Messi has recorded 207 caps, 125 goals and 68 assists for Argentina.
- His six Argentina titles include the 2022 World Cup, Copa América wins in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic gold medal.
- Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso have joined the squad for the farewell fixture.
The Monumental programme will begin before kick-off, with musical performances and invited guests expected from different stages of Messi’s Argentina career. The federation has kept the full entertainment schedule private.
Argentina will also mark the occasion after the final whistle. Federation president Claudio Tapia is due to present Messi with a commemorative plaque and a special shirt, while a video tribute is planned. Messi is also expected to address the supporters who have followed him through his international career.
A specially designed Argentina shirt will be part of the evening, featuring national flag elements, a sun motif and gold numbering. The match itself remains part of the FIFA-window schedule, as Argentina continue to complete suspension matches involving players dismissed during the World Cup.
Otamendi, De Paul and Lo Celso did not feature in the matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, but were called in for Benin. All three played alongside Messi on the route towards the World Cup triumph and will be present for his final home international setting.
Messi arrived at Argentina’s Ezeiza training centre, which bears his name, on Sunday afternoon. He trained with the group before sharing a barbecue with the players, coaching staff and Tapia, then completed his final training session on Monday.
For supporters unable to enter the Monumental, a “Thank You Leo” fan festival will operate at Ciudad Universitaria near the stadium. It will include live music, food stands, interactive activities, appearances by influencers and streamers, and a giant screen showing the match.
Former goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea will be involved in a penalty-kicking activity at the event, while Kapanga and La T y la M are among the musical acts announced. Inside and outside the stadium, the city will turn one friendly into a final Argentine salute to a player whose numbers will move again against Benin, but whose place in the national story will not.
