Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin on October 6, bringing his international career to a close after more than two decades.
The farewell match will be played at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where the 39-year-old captain will make his 208th appearance for Argentina.
Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, ending a career with Argentina that included victories at the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite announcing his retirement, Messi was included in Argentina’s latest squad specifically to participate in the farewell fixture.
Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia described the October match as an opportunity to give the captain a farewell on home soil.
Messi’s final appearance will come during an international window that begins with Argentina’s match against Bolivia on September 30.
The October 6 fixture against Benin will therefore serve as the official farewell for a player who has been Argentina’s captain and leading figure for more than 20 years.