When Is Lionel Messi’s Final Match With Argentina?

The Argentina captain’s farewell now has a date, opponent and venue, with the Monumental preparing for a historic night.

When Will Lionel Messi Play His Final Argentina Match?

Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, when the Albiceleste face Benin in a friendly arranged as a farewell to their captain.

The match will be played at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires and is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. local time. It will be the final time Messi takes the field in an Argentina shirt after an international career spanning more than two decades.

The stadium will be fully focused on his farewell. Around 85,000 fans are expected to attend, while former teammates, World Cup winners and their families have also been invited to join the No. 10 for an emotional night.

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Why Will Benin Be Messi’s Final Opponent?

The choice of Benin raised some eyebrows given how unusual an opponent they are for Argentina, particularly for a match carrying so much symbolic weight.

The international calendar limited the alternatives available to the AFA, with several European national teams involved in the Nations League and other potential opponents already committed to fixtures.

The African side also comes with a lower match fee than a higher-profile opponent, allowing the Argentine federation to retain a larger share of the revenue generated by a farewell centered around a packed Monumental.

A Career Spanning More Than 20 Years Comes to an End

Messi enters his farewell as Argentina’s all-time leader in both appearances and goals. Ahead of the match against Benin, he has recorded 207 caps and 125 goals for the national team.

His journey with the Albiceleste began in 2005 and went through dramatically different stages before delivering the major trophies that had eluded him for years.

The captain won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and another Copa América in 2024. He also led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final before announcing that he would bring his international career to an end.

The Monumental Prepares to Say Goodbye to Messi

Lionel Scaloni has already spoken about what the occasion will mean for Argentine football.

“It’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone. Everyone wants to be at this match, and now it’s just about enjoying it,” the Argentina coach said.

Members of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and their families have been invited to join the captain, turning the friendly into something far bigger than a regular international match.

After more than 20 years, 207 appearances, 125 goals and a collection of trophies that forever changed his story with Argentina, Messi will finally have his last night in sky blue and white.