Lionel Messi's last match in international career is scheduled for October 6. The Argentine national team will play this friendly match against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The Argentine Football Federation has designated this game as a special farewell for Messi.
The President of the Argentine Football Federation, Claudio Tapia, announced this decision via a video message. He specified that after discussions with the national team's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, Messi was invited to this match. Tapia called Messi the best player in the world, a symbol of the Argentine national team, and its captain, stating that he would be given the farewell in his home country that he deserves.
Messi accepted the invitation. Furthermore, the Argentine Federation decided to invite all players from the team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, who achieved the title with Messi in Qatar.
As part of this special match, the players from the 2022 champion team will be invited along with their families. Thus, Messi's farewell from international football will be presented not just as a friendly match, but as a tribute to the greatest football luminary of Argentina. Tapia urged Argentine citizens and fans of the national team to watch this match, calling it the 'last tango' of the world's best player.
Messi announced his departure from international football on August 31 via an Instagram post. He is a player who has played the most matches and scored the most goals for Argentina. Currently, Messi has played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 goals. Under his leadership, Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Before this special match against Benin, Argentina will play two more matches. The team will meet Bolivia on September 30, and on October 3, they will take the field against Burkina Faso. After these games, Messi's farewell ceremony against Benin will take place on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium.