Lionel Messi is set to play his last-ever match for Argentina on October 6th against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, a farewell game that’s already got the entire soccer world buzzing. This comes after the legend announced his retirement from the national team earlier this month, making this final friendly a massive moment for fans and the sport.
The Captain’s Last Dance
Argentina FA president Claudio Tapia made it official on social media, letting everyone know, “We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our team, our captain Lionel Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina.” You can feel the weight of that statement, right? This isn’t just another game, it’s a celebration of an absolute icon. Lionel Scaloni’s squad, who clinched the 2022 World Cup, will be right there with him, ready to honor their captain. And it’s not just Messi showing up for the big one; Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are also joining the squad for that October 6th finale.
Pre-Farewell Friendlies and FIFA Fallout
Before Messi steps onto the pitch for his final bow, Argentina has a couple of other friendly matches lined up during this international break. First up, they’ll face Bolivia on September 30th at the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. Then, it’s off to Buenos Aires to host Burkina Faso on October 3rd. But here’s where things get wild: that game against Bolivia? The stadium capacity is going to be slashed by 50% in the standings. Why? FIFA hit Argentina with sanctions because of a post-game altercation by their players during the 2026 World Cup. Can you believe it? A reduced crowd for a tune-up before Messi’s big goodbye. It just adds another layer to an already high-stakes international break.
Before he even links up with the Albiceleste, Messi has some club business to handle. He’s expected to be on the field this Wednesday when his Inter Miami squad takes on Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup final at Miami’s Nu Stadium. It’s a packed schedule, but you know Messi is ready to give it everything he’s got. That October 6th farewell is going to be etched in history, a truly unmissable moment for any soccer fan.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply