Lionel Messi’s long association with Argentina’s famous blue-and-white shirt appears to be approaching its final chapter. After announcing his decision to retire from international football, uncertainty had remained over when the legendary forward would make his final appearance for the national side. A report from Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now pointed to a possible farewell date.
According to a post on Romano’s verified Facebook page, Messi is expected to play for Argentina against Benin in a friendly on 6 October. The match is scheduled to be held at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, potentially giving supporters the opportunity to see one of the country’s most celebrated footballers represent Argentina for the final time on home soil.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has included Messi in the squad announced for the fixture against Benin. His inclusion has further fuelled expectations that the match could become the closing appearance of his international career.
Romano referred to the occasion as Messi’s ‘last dance’ and said the match would give him an opportunity to bid farewell to Argentina supporters. The report has attracted significant attention because fans have been waiting for greater clarity since Messi announced his international retirement.
Messi’s journey with Argentina has stretched across more than a decade and has included both painful disappointments and historic triumphs. For years, his international career was closely associated with the pressure to deliver a major trophy for the national team. He reached several important finals before finally helping Argentina end that wait.
The turning point came with Argentina’s Copa América triumph, followed by their memorable World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022. Messi captained the side to the World Cup title, completing one of the most significant achievements of his career. The triumph also transformed the way his international legacy was viewed, particularly after years in which his performances for the national team were scrutinised following major tournament defeats.
Since then, every appearance by Messi in Argentina colours has carried particular significance. His status as captain and one of the central figures of the team has made his involvement a major event for supporters, regardless of the nature of the fixture.
The potential meeting with Benin would therefore be about much more than the result of a friendly. If Messi does take the field as expected, the focus at the Monumental is likely to extend beyond the match itself. Supporters could be witnessing the final moments of an extraordinary international career, played out in front of a home crowd.
For Argentina fans, the emotional significance would be considerable. Messi has represented the national side through different generations, major tournaments and periods of intense expectation. His career with Argentina has ultimately included the long-awaited World Cup triumph that supporters had dreamed of seeing.
The possibility of a final appearance at the Monumental adds another layer to the occasion. The stadium is one of the country’s most prominent football venues, and a farewell there would provide a fitting setting for a player whose career has been so closely connected with Argentina’s national team.
For now, the information from Romano provides an indication rather than an independently confirmed final farewell arrangement. Changes to the squad, fixture plans or Messi’s participation could still affect the situation before 6 October.
Should the match go ahead with Messi involved, however, Argentina supporters will have a rare opportunity to watch their celebrated captain wear the blue-and-white shirt for what could be the final time. After years of unforgettable goals, difficult defeats and historic victories, the prospect of seeing Messi say goodbye on home soil is already creating a strong sense of anticipation around the fixture.
