Messi to bow out for Argentina in Monumental farewell against Benin
Lionel Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, October 7, with the fixture scheduled for 4:30 am IST in India.
Messi reversed his initial retirement in 2016 and subsequently helped Argentina win a World Cup and two Copa America titles; he came close again in 2026 but lost to Spain, and the combination of that defeat and his father's death contributed to his decision to step away. Monday evening's final training session was framed as a celebration of his career, with Messi saying, "Special moments, I'm sure I'm gonna miss," said Messi after the session. The national side's golden generation is expected to be in the stands for the occasion.
National coach Lionel Scaloni described Messi's contribution in stark terms, saying, "Messi leaves behind something unequaled," national coach Lionel Scaloni says. "We have to keep playing, but the feeling of having him on the pitch is unique. I've never seen anyone else convey what he does on a football field, and that is what we're going to miss." The question remains whether Argentina can sustain its level without him.
The Benin game is the final fixture in a three-match series during the current international break for the 2026 World Cup finalists; Argentina have already beaten Bolivia 4-0 and routed Burkina Faso 7-0 in the earlier friendlies. Those results preceded the Monumental farewell and have featured a spread of goalscorers across the squad.
While long-standing internationals such as Emiliano Martnez, Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernndez and Lautaro Martnez have continued to play central roles, several younger players have begun to stake claims. Nicols Paz and Franco Mastantuono have added creativity in midfield, Gianluca Prestianni and Leonel Flores have provided options out wide, and Flores — a Boca Juniors academy product — made his senior club debut only two months ago but has already broken into the Argentina setup. Paz, playing out of Italian club Como, was one of the scorers in the recent wins.
Scaloni expressed confidence in the squad's future, saying, "The Argentine national team will endure. We will remain at a high level, I have no doubt about that," said Scaloni as quoted by AP. Supporters arriving for the Monumental farewell described mixed emotions: "There's a changing of the guard; maybe we have to play differently now, not thinking in terms of Messi and 10 others,' but rather as a unified team," supporter Cristian Versalles, 55, told the AP after watching the victory over Burkina Faso on Saturday. His son, Ramiro, 23, added, "Given the number of players coming through, there's definitely a new generation ready to step up. Nico Paz is the heir apparent."
The Estadio Mas Monumental will be decorated in the colours and number associated with Messi for Tuesday's occasion, and fans will witness whether there is one final moment of individual brilliance. The match between Argentina and Benin will be broadcast in India on the Zee5 app at 4:30 am IST on Wednesday, October 7.
