When is Lionel Messi's final Argentina game and who are the opponents?

Lionel Messi is preparing to play his final game for Argentina, with the greatest player of all time set to bid farewell to the national team on Tuesday.

A glittering international career, which has produced one World Cup win and two Copa America triumphs, Messi will lead his nation out at the Monumental Stadium for what will be an emotional night in Buenos Aires.

“It’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said recently. “Everyone wants to be at this match, and now it’s just about enjoying it.”

When is Messi's final Argentina game?

Messi's final Argentina appearance is against Benin on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The match will be played at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm local time, which is 1am UK time in the morning of Wednesday, October 7.

How to watch Messi's final Argentina match

TV channel: In the UK and Ireland, Premier Sports holds the rights to Argentina's matches, including Messi's farewell against Benin. The match will be broadcast on Premier Sports 2, with coverage starting at 12am midnight in the UK.

Live stream: UK viewers can watch Premier Sports 2 via the website or app.

Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup in 2022

PA

Why is Messi retiring from Argentina?

Messi announced that he would bring his international career to an end following the 2026 World Cup.

“I gave it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote when announcing his international retirement in August.

His final appearance represents the end of an Argentina career that began more than 20 years ago and ultimately delivered the trophies he had spent much of his career chasing.

Messi led Argentina to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 World Cup. He also reached the 2018 and 2026 World Cup finals.

He is also Argentina's record appearance holder and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals heading into his farewell.

Why were Benin picked as Messi's final opponents?

The choice of Benin is a curious one, but perhaps explained quite simply.

According to The Guardian, an international opponent such as the world’s 89th-best nation according to FIFA commands a relatively low cost in terms of match fees compared to a more established , higher-profile opponent. This, in turn, allows the Argentine Football Association to retain a larger share of the revenue generated from the fixture.

But, the event is simply a friendly fixtures arranged for Messi to bow out in front of a home crowd, while members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families have been invited to attend.