The Last Dance
Lionel Messi in the Argentina squad for the last time
Lionel Messi to be honored through organising a tournament in Argentina to bid him adieu. Collected photo.
Following the defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced a special plan for Lionel Messi, who recently declared his retirement from international football. To give the superstar a fitting send-off in the national jersey, he has been included in the squad for a friendly match against Benin on October 6.
AFA President Claudio Tapia confirmed that this match will mark Messi's final international appearance for Argentina. The game will take place at the famous River Plate Stadium, also known as the Estadio Mâs Monumental, in the capital city of Buenos Aires. Beyond honoring Messi, the 85,000-capacity venue will host other members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to make the occasion truly historic and memorable.
The 39-year-old forward announced his international retirement shortly after the World Cup and following the loss of his father last August. Messi had said at the time that while the choice was emotionally painful, it was the right moment to step down. Across a storied international career spanning more than two decades, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for the Albiceleste.
Argentina is scheduled to play three friendly matches during the upcoming international window. They will face Bolivia in Córdoba on September 30 and Burkina Faso at the Monumental Stadium on October 3, before Messi officially concludes his legendary international career in the final match against Benin on October 6.
