Messi Named In Argentina Squad For Farewell Match Against Benin
By Our Correspondent – Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6, which is set to serve as his farewell appearance for the national team.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football last month after a remarkable two-decade career with Argentina. The farewell match will be played at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia said Messi was invited to have the farewell he deserves as the team’s captain and an iconic figure in Argentine football.
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and has gone on to become the country’s all-time leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. His international career includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024.
The Benin fixture will be the final game in a series of three friendlies for Argentina during the October international window. Argentina will first face Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba before meeting Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.
Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are scheduled to feature in the October 6 match against Benin. Tapia has also invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to join Messi for the farewell occasion.
The match is expected to mark the end of an era for Argentina, as Messi prepares to make his final appearance in the famous blue-and-white shirt.
