Lionel Messi to join Argentina for farewell match against Benin

The friendly marks a symbolic passing of the torch for a player whose international legacy includes a World Cup title.Published On 5 Oct 20265 Oct 2026Lionel Messi will bring the curtain down on his glittering Argentina career 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 on Tuesday at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘You are eternal’: Football world pays tribute to Argentina’s Lionel Messilist 2 of 3Lionel Messi’s Argentina career in numbers: Records, goals, trophieslist 3 of 3‘The time has come’: Messi retires from international footballend of listMessi 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 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 t...