Story perspectives

Messi’s final Argentina match set for Oct. 6

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 2:16 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina on Oct. 6.
AFA president Claudio Tapia announced the farewell match after consulting coach Lionel Scaloni.
The farewell will be a friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi announced his international retirement on Aug. 31, 2026, saying he had nothing left to give.
Messi holds Argentina’s records with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

History

Historical Context

Maradona’s last Argentina match on 30 June 1994 ended after a doping ban, closing a career that had lifted Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title. The Argentine Football Association later honored him with nationwide moments of silence and stadium tributes, a pattern the AFA now repeats for departing Argentine stars. Over 75,000 fans greeted Maradona in Naples in 1984.

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Story summary

Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina on Oct. 6.
AFA president Claudio Tapia announced the farewell match after consulting coach Lionel Scaloni.
The farewell will be a friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi announced his international retirement on Aug. 31, 2026, saying he had nothing left to give.
Messi holds Argentina’s records with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

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