Lionel Messi will make one final appearance for Argentina on October 6, when the world champions host Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine Football Association confirmed that the 39-year-old has been invited to participate in the match as a farewell appearance following his retirement from international football on August 31.

AFA president Claudio Tapia said the decision was taken after discussions with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, with the association seeking to give its former captain a proper send-off in front of home supporters.

FIFA also confirmed that the Benin friendly will be Messi’s final Argentina appearance, rather than the beginning of a wider return to international football.

Messi announced his retirement after Argentina’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Lionel Scaloni’s side lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.

He leaves international football as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and record goalscorer, with 207 senior appearances and 125 goals since making his debut against Hungary in August 2005.

The former Barcelona star helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América, establishing himself as one of the most decorated players in the country’s history.

Messi also played at six World Cups and scored eight goals with four assists at the 2026 tournament as Argentina reached another final.

The October 6 match against Benin will form part of Argentina’s first series of home friendlies since the World Cup.

Scaloni’s side will face Bolivia in Córdoba on September 30 before playing Burkina Faso at the Monumental on October 3.

Messi will not participate in either of those fixtures and is expected to appear only in the final friendly against Benin.

AFA’s squad announcement also said Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso would be present for the October 6 fixture.

Tapia has also said players who were part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families would be invited to take part in the farewell occasion.

Messi formally announced his retirement on August 31, saying he believed the time had come to end a senior international career that lasted more than two decades.

His appearance against Benin will therefore provide Argentina supporters with a final opportunity to see him in the national colours at home.

If he plays as planned, it will become his 208th senior appearance for Argentina.