Lionel Messi will pull on the famous Argentina shirt for what is expected to be the final time when the World Cup holders face Benin in a special farewell friendly in Buenos Aires.
– Argentina v Benin full match markets.
After more than two decades representing his country, Messi is set to bring the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers in football history.
The Argentina captain will say goodbye to supporters at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday, October 6, with the match being billed as Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
But when exactly is Messi’s last game for Argentina, who are they playing, what time is kick-off in Ireland and the UK, and where can you watch the match?
Here’s everything you need to know about Messi’s Argentina farewell.
When is Messi’s last game for Argentina?
Lionel Messi’s final game for Argentina is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Argentina will face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.
That means the match will begin at midnight Irish and UK time, taking place in the early hours of Wednesday, October 7.
The game has been arranged as a farewell for Messi, who is set to bring his international career to a close after more than 20 years representing Argentina.
For supporters in Ireland and the UK, it means a late-night start for Messi’s final appearance in the famous blue and white shirt.
Who are Argentina playing in Messi’s last game?
Argentina will face Benin in Messi’s international farewell.
The West African nation are a considerably lower-ranked opponent than Argentina, but the fixture is less about competitive significance and more about giving Messi the opportunity to say goodbye to his supporters on home soil.
The match will give Argentina fans one final opportunity to see Messi alongside some of the players who helped him deliver the biggest trophies of his career.
Where is Messi’s final Argentina game being played?
Messi’s farewell will take place at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, the home of River Plate.
The iconic stadium is expected to be packed for the occasion, with supporters eager to witness Messi’s final appearance for Argentina.
The Monumental has hosted some of the biggest moments in Argentine football, making it a fitting location for the conclusion of Messi’s international career. The stadium boasts a capacity of 84,567.
What time is Messi’s last Argentina game?
The kick-off times for Messi’s farewell are:
| Location | Kick-off |
|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | 8:00pm, Tuesday October 6 |
| Ireland | 12:00am, Wednesday October 7 |
| UK | 12:00am, Wednesday October 7 |
| Central Europe | 1:00am, Wednesday October 7 |
| India | 4:30am, Wednesday October 7 |
| Eastern Time | 7:00pm, Tuesday October 6 |
For viewers in Ireland and the UK, it is therefore a midnight start.
That makes Tuesday night into Wednesday morning the final chance for Irish and British fans to watch Messi represent Argentina.
What TV channel is Messi’s last Argentina game on?
Messi’s final Argentina appearance will be shown live on Premier Sports 2 in Ireland and the UK.
Why is Messi retiring from Argentina?
Messi’s international career is coming to an end after more than two decades with Argentina.
The 39-year-old has been the centrepiece of the national team for much of his career, making his debut in 2005 and going on to become Argentina’s record goalscorer and appearance maker.
Messi’s relationship with the national team was not always straightforward.
For years, he faced criticism in Argentina despite his incredible success at club level, particularly after Argentina suffered defeats in major finals.
That narrative changed dramatically during the latter stages of his international career.
Messi eventually led Argentina to Copa América glory in 2021 before adding another Copa América title in 2024.
The biggest prize followed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina defeated France on penalties in one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played, with Messi scoring twice before converting his penalty in the shootout.
Messi also guided Argentina to two other World Cup Final appearances in 2014 and most recently in 2026. Sadly, he came up short in his bid to emulate the great Diego Maradona by winning two World Cup trophies, losing both finals against Germany and Spain, respectively.
Messi’s Argentina career in numbers
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and record appearance maker.
Heading into his farewell against Benin, he has:
- 207 Argentina appearances
- 125 international goals
- Two Copa América titles
- One World Cup
- One Finalissima
- One Olympic gold medal
His international career has spanned more than 20 years.
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and has represented the country at six World Cups.
His final appearance will bring an end to a remarkable journey that has seen him go from one of Argentina’s most criticised players to one of the country’s greatest sporting icons.
What trophies has Messi won with Argentina?
For much of Messi’s early international career, one of the biggest criticisms aimed at him was his lack of a major senior trophy with Argentina.
That all changed in 2021.
Messi captained Argentina to victory at the Copa América, beating Brazil in the final at the Maracanã.
He then helped Argentina win the Finalissima against Italy in 2022 before producing the defining performance of his international career at the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina defeated France on penalties in Qatar, with Messi finally getting his hands on the World Cup trophy.
He subsequently led Argentina to another Copa América title in 2024.
Those successes transformed Messi’s relationship with the Argentine public and cemented his status as an all-time great for his country.
Will Messi play at the 2030 World Cup?
No.
Messi’s Argentina career is coming to an end, meaning he will not represent the country at the 2030 World Cup.
His final World Cup appearance came at the 2026 tournament, bringing his record-breaking run of six World Cup appearances to a close.
Argentina will now begin preparing for life without the player who has been at the heart of their national team for more than two decades.
Who will replace Messi as Argentina captain?
Messi’s departure leaves Argentina with a major leadership gap.
Players including Cristian Romero, Emiliano Martínez and Lautaro Martínez are among those expected to take on greater leadership responsibilities within the squad.
Argentina also have a number of exciting younger players coming through who will be expected to play increasingly important roles for the national team.
However, replacing Messi is about much more than finding a new captain or No.10.
Argentina are losing their record goalscorer, record appearance maker and the player who has been their focal point for more than 20 years.
Is Messi retiring from football?
No. Messi’s final Argentina game does not mean he is retiring from football altogether.
The 39-year-old is bringing his international career to an end, but that is different from retiring from professional football.
Messi remains a player for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and is expected to continue his club career after saying goodbye to Argentina.
His decision therefore means fans will no longer see him representing Argentina, rather than necessarily seeing the end of Messi’s career as a professional footballer.
That distinction is important, particularly given the speculation surrounding his future.
While Messi’s international career is coming to an end, there has been no confirmation that the Argentina vs Benin match will be his final game of football altogether.
For now, the focus is on saying goodbye to Argentina and celebrating everything Messi has achieved with his country.
Messi’s final Argentina game: Everything you need to know
Who are Argentina playing?
Benin will serve as Lionel Messi’s final opponent in an Argentina shirt.
When is Messi’s last game for Argentina?
The game takes place in Argentina on Tuesday, October 6, but with the time difference, it will be Wednesday, October 7 for fans in the UK/Ireland.
Where is it being played?
The game will take place at the Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
What time is kick-off in Ireland and the UK?
12 am on Wednesday, October 7
What time is kick-off in Argentina?
20:00 on Tuesday, October 6
What channel is Messi’s last game on?
British and Irish viewers can watch the game live on Premier Sports 2 or stream the game on NOW.
Is it a competitive match?
No, it is an international friendly
Is this Messi’s final Argentina appearance?
Yes, the match is being billed as Messi’s farewell appearance for the national team.
Is Messi retiring from football?
No. Messi will hang up his boots at international level but will continue to play for his club, Inter Miami, in the MLS.
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