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Messi’s final Argentina match set for Oct. 6 vs Benin

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 2:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Lionel Messi (Argentina forward) will play his final national-team match on Oct. 6 against Benin at Estadio Monumental.
Messi will earn his 208th cap, finishing with 125 goals and 207 appearances, Argentine records.
Coach Lionel Scaloni (Argentina coach) said the team will remain among the world’s elite after Messi’s retirement.
Cristian Romero (Argentina defender) will become captain following Messi’s departure.

History

Historical Context

After veteran retirements left France struggling to qualify, coach Raymond Domenech recalled Zinedine Zidane in September 2005, earning his 100th cap on 27 May 2006. Zidane announced he would retire after the World Cup, and on 9 July 2006 he led France to the final, where a head-butt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi earned a red card and Italy won on penalties.

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Story summary

Lionel Messi (Argentina forward) will play his final national-team match on Oct. 6 against Benin at Estadio Monumental.
Messi will earn his 208th cap, finishing with 125 goals and 207 appearances, Argentine records.
Coach Lionel Scaloni (Argentina coach) said the team will remain among the world’s elite after Messi’s retirement.
Cristian Romero (Argentina defender) will become captain following Messi’s departure.

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