On October 6, Messi will play in Argentina’s final friendly match against Benin.

After declaring his retirement from international competition last month, Lionel Messi was included in Argentina’s team on Tuesday for a friendly against Benin on October 6. This will be Messi’s final appearance. After a two-decade international career that includes victories in the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the 39-year-old announced in August that he was leaving Argentina.

“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 here in Argentina,” said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.

River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which can hold 85,000 spectators, will host the game versus Benin.  Additionally, Tapia invited all of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners to join Messi for what he described as a “unforgettable” event.

Argentina will play their first game since losing to Spain in the World Cup final on September 30 in Cordoba as part of a three-match friendly series. On October 3, they will play Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires. Messi is scheduled to make his 208th and final appearance for the national team in the third game against Benin. With 125 goals, he is Argentina’s all-time top scorer.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi said when he called time on his Argentina career. His deal with Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer team, is valid through the conclusion of the 2028 campaign.

Argentina was ordered by FIFA last month to play their next home game with a 50% capacity reduction due to violations of its disciplinary code on the use of a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations.

Several players displayed a banner that read “The Falklands are Argentine” following Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in a tense World Cup semifinal in July. The friendlies are also anticipated to count against sanctions imposed in the wake of events following Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain.