Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina is set to take place in front of a packed Monumental after tickets for the farewell match against Benin sold out within two hours.
The October 6 friendly in Buenos Aires generated enormous demand, with the 80,000 available tickets snapped up rapidly. The response underlined the scale of interest surrounding Messi’s final outing in Argentina colours.
Messi announced his international retirement in late August after a 21-year career with the national side. However, coach Lionel Scaloni included the 39-year-old in his squad for the October friendlies, allowing the Argentina captain to receive a farewell in front of home supporters.
Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia confirmed Messi had accepted the invitation. Members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families have also been invited to the occasion, which Tapia described as the “last tango” of the country’s greatest player.
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals. His greatest achievement came in Qatar in 2022, when he captained Argentina to their third World Cup title.
The former Barcelona forward also helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. He played in the 2014 World Cup final before lifting the trophy eight years later.
The Benin fixture will conclude Argentina’s three-match international schedule. Scaloni’s side will first face Bolivia in Córdoba on September 30 before meeting Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.
The October 6 fixture will then bring an emotional end to Messi’s international career, with thousands of supporters set to witness his final appearance for the world champions on home soil.
