Lionel Messi to Retire from Argentina Team After Final Match

Lionel Messi will play his final match for the Argentina national team on October 6, 2026, in a farewell friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This match will be attended by approximately 85,000 supporters and marks Messi's 208th and last appearance for Argentina.

He announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, concluding a remarkable 21-year career where he became Argentina's record appearance-maker with 125 goals and 68 assists. The Argentine Football Association has organized this match as a celebratory send-off for Messi, who will also hand over the captaincy.

Despite being under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, this match signifies the end of his chapter with the national team. Messi's international honors include the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, the 2008 Olympic gold medal, consecutive Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which ended a 36-year wait for Argentina.

Coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged Messi's irreplaceability but expressed confidence in the team's collective strength moving forward.