Argentina name Messi for October farewell vs Benin — SkimNews
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- Argentina named Messi in their squad for a farewell friendly against Benin on October 6 at River Plate's Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires (85,000 capacity), with the country's 2022 World Cup winners also invited
- Messi announced retirement from Argentina duty in August after the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain and the death of his father Jorge, ending as the country's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances and an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner now at Inter Miami
- Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia called the occasion "unforgettable" and said Messi deserves "the farewell he truly deserves," with the 39-year-old captain having said retirement hurt him "deeply" but that he had "nothing left to give"
- Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina are unavailable for the match due to 10-game and seven-match FIFA suspensions respectively for on-field clashes in the World Cup final defeat
- Argentina must serve a FIFA-ordered 50% capacity punishment (one match suspended) for disciplinary breaches including the Falkland Islands sovereignty banner held up after the semi-final win over England and discriminatory chants — expected to be served via friendlies against Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3 before the Benin game
Why it matters: The farewell gives Argentina a final chance to honor their captain at an 85,000-seat venue, but the 50% capacity sanction tied to the Falklands banner — still serving through the preceding friendlies — means the Estadio Monumental tribute may be capped at reduced attendance, and two suspended squad members (Paredes, Molina) will be absent from the send-off.
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