Messi Argentina Farewell: How to Watch vs. Benin Tuesday — SkimNews
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- Messi will play his final Argentina match on Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m. ET against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, streamed live on ViX
- Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31 via an open letter on social media, just days after the death of his father Jorge, writing that "there are great young players coming through who deserve to be here"
- AS Roma refused to release Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina for the farewell, citing "sporting and logistical reasons" tied to the intercontinental journey and proximity of upcoming competitive fixtures — a decision the club said "sparked debate"
- Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called up all players from the 2022 World Cup-winning squad for the occasion, though club refusals kept some away
- Argentina are heavy favorites at -20000 on the moneyline, with a draw at +3000 and a Benin upset at +6000
- Messi's Argentina résumé per the source: 2022 World Cup, 2021 Copa América, 2024 Copa América; the article also states Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in July
Why it matters: The match was framed as a celebration of Messi's two-decade international career, but AS Roma's refusal to release Dybala and Molina — two 2022 World Cup teammates described by the club as sharing "a close bond with Lionel Messi" — turned the farewell into a flashpoint over club-vs-country obligations, leaving Scaloni without the full reunion he had called up for.
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