Messi Named to Argentina Squad for Oct. 6 Farewell vs. Benin — SkimNews
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- Lionel Messi has been named to Argentina's squad for the Oct. 6 friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, his final game with La Albiceleste.
- Argentina federation president Claudio Tapia confirmed the match will be dedicated to Messi and invited all 2022 World Cup winners who played with him in Qatar to attend with their families.
- Messi announced his international retirement on Aug. 31 via Instagram, departing as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and most-capped player with 207 appearances.
- Argentina will face Bolivia on Sept. 30 and Burkina Faso on Oct. 3 before hosting the Benin farewell at the Monumental.
- Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso will join Argentina exclusively for the Benin match despite already being included in the general roster.
Why it matters: Argentina's federation is mobilizing not just the team but the full 2022 World Cup-winning squad for Messi's send-off, turning a standard friendly into a national ceremony. Messi exits as both the country's all-time leading scorer (125 goals) and most-capped player (207 games) — a statistical legacy that frames the Oct. 6 match as the closing chapter of Argentina's greatest international career.
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