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The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially confirmed that Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for the Argentina national team on 6 October. The farewell match will take place at the iconic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, with Benin providing the opposition in an international friendly.

AFA president Claudio Tapia said that, following discussions with head coach Lionel Scaloni, the decision was made to bring back the “best player in the world and an emblem of our national team” for a fitting farewell on home soil.

Messi announced his decision to retire from international football at the end of August, following Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward leaves behind an extraordinary international record: 207 appearances and 125 goals, both national-team records.

His greatest achievement with Argentina remains the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, complemented by Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024. Organisers have invited the entire 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families to the Monumental, ensuring that Argentina’s legendary captain will share his final night in the national shirt with the team-mates who helped create one of the greatest chapters in the country’s football history.