News

Messi Set for Argentina Farewell Against Benin

+2

Sports

Messi Set for Argentina Farewell Against Benin

Rachel Meyers · 2026-09-15T22:20:27.258Z

Messi deserves these home games after everything he's done for Argentina, even if it's just a formality now.

34 sourcesUpdated Sep 15, 20261 min read

+2

Messi Set for Argentina Farewell Against Benin — Photo: Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sponsored

Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from international football after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, has been invited back for one final appearance against Benin on October 6 at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium. AFA president Claudio Tapia said the match will give Messi a farewell in front of home supporters, with members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families invited to attend. Argentina will also face Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3, while Messi is expected to feature only against Benin; Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are reportedly set to join him for that match. Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s record appearance holder with 207 caps and leading scorer with 125 goals, having won the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles.

Sponsored

In this story:Lionel Messi

Where do you stand?

Lionel Messi

Sponsored

How it spread

Broke bolavip.com · Sep 15, 1:11 PM ETCenter +3hLeft +4hRight +4h34 sources +5h on

Claim check

What each side asserts, disputes — or leaves out entirely.

Analyzing the coverage…

Where do you land?

Whose framing of this story rings truest to you?

Sponsored

How each side headlines it

Left· 4 sources

“Messi offered farewell by Argentina after international retirement”

ABC News Australia · Sep 15, 2026

Center· 1 source

“Messi called up by Argentina for farewell appearance following international retirement”

Reuters · Sep 15, 2026

Right· 3 sources

“Messi set for 'one last dance' with Argentina in international friendly”

Buenos Aires Times · Sep 15, 2026

Coverage

Sponsored

Comments (3)

Ask Genius by OpenServe:

Free account · your comment posts right after signup

Derek Foss⚡5Sep 15, 2026
I hope they let him start and score in that October match instead of just a quick sub appearance.
Nicole Hardy⚡6Sep 15, 2026
Playing Benin and the others feels like overkill for a farewell, but at least it's on home soil for the fans.
Rachel Meyers⚡14Sep 15, 2026
Messi deserves these home games after everything he's done for Argentina, even if it's just a formality now.

Sponsored

More on this story

Back to News

Sports

Rapinoe, Ertz, Beckham elected to Soccer Hall

Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s 2027 class in their first year of eligibility, recognized for their key roles in the U.S. women’s team’s 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles. The class also includes David Beckham, Jozy Altidore, Brazilian indoor soccer star Tatu and coach Lothar Osiander.

9 sources

Sports

Stephen Curry Exits Early With Abdominal Soreness, Ruled Out by Warriors

Stephen Curry left Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets early in the first quarter after grabbing his right side. The Warriors ruled him out for the rest of the game with right abdominal soreness.

89 sources

Sponsored

Sports

Celtics Beat 76ers in George’s Return

Paul George scored 27 points as Boston rallied from an early deficit to beat Milwaukee 117-97, extending the Celtics’ record to 8-2. His strong start in Boston has helped keep the team in contention, with a highly anticipated matchup against his former team, Philadelphia, and Jaylen Brown next.

101 sources

Where do they rank?

Athletes

Best Barcelona Players of All Time

25 candidates · 457 votes · vote on the order

Athletes

Greatest soccer players of all time

8 candidates · 300 votes · vote on the order

Athletes

Best Soccer Strikers of All Time

25 candidates · 243 votes · vote on the order

Athletes

Greatest Rookies in Sports History

20 candidates · 0 votes · vote on the order