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After more than two decades of service to his country, Messi will make his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina on October 6. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Lionel Messi will bring the curtain down on his glittering Argentina career on Tuesday with a farewell friendly against Benin that marks the dawn of a new era for the South American champions.
After more than two decades of service to his country, the 39-year-old superstar will hand over the captain’s armband for good as he makes his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi will be joined for his international swansong by 85,000 spectators and several of the teammates with whom he reached the pinnacle of football at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, alongside members of Argentina’s emerging generation.
The friendly marks a symbolic passing of the torch for a player whose international legacy includes a World Cup title, two Copa America crowns and the Finalissima. Messi also bows out as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 games, as well as a record 68 assists.
His farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina’s ill-tempered World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey, where Messi exited in tears after making little impression.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated.
Members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad — the players who delivered the country’s third star — and their families will join Messi for Tuesday’s farewell against Benin, ranked 93rd in the world.
Scaloni, who mastered the art of building the right supporting cast around Messi, will also say goodbye on Tuesday to 38-year-old vice-captain Nicolas Otamendi. Like Messi and Otamendi, midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were called up solely for the Benin game, raising the possibility that neither will represent Argentina again.
All you need to know about Lionel Messi’s farewell match for Argentina
When will Lionel Messi play his farewell match for Argentina?
Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina on Tuesday, October 6 (Wednesday, October 7 IST).
Which team will face Argentina in Lionel Messi’s last international match?
In Messi’s last international match, three-time FIFA World Cup winners Argentina will face Benin, who are ranked 93rd in the world.
Where will Lionel Messi play his final match for Argentina?
Lionel Messi’s final international match for Argentina is scheduled to take place at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.
What is the start time of Lionel Messi’s farewell match?
Lionel Messi’s last international match for Argentina will kick off at 04:30 AM IST on Wednesday.
Where to watch Lionel Messi’s last international match for Argentina in India?
Lionel Messi’s last international match for Argentina will not be televised live in India as it is a FIFA international friendly fixture. However, fans in India will be able to watch the match online on ZEE5.
Argentina’s squad for Lionel Messi’s farewell match
Emiliano Martínez (GK), Juan Musso (GK), Gerónimo Rulli (GK), Santiago Beltrán (GK); Agustín Giay, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina, Nicolás Tagliafico, Román Vega, Valentín Gómez, Tomás Palacios, Nicolás Otamendi; Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Matías Soulé, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás González, Gianluca Prestianni, Equi Fernández, Santiago Simón, Tobías Andrada, Leonel Flores; José Manuel López, Santiago Castro, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Messi.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Since it is a FIFA international friendly fixture, Lionel Messi’s final match for Argentina will not be televised live in India, but fans can stream it online on ZEE5.
Ask News18About the Author
Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More
October 05, 2026, 07:53 IST
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