Messi’s farewell: All you need to know

Following his decision to retire from international football on August 31, Lionel Messi is finally set to take the field for one last time in the famous blue-and-white jersey. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has arranged a grand farewell for their beloved captain on home soil.

When and where will it take place?

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Date: Tuesday, October 6

Opponent: African nation Benin

Venue: Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Capacity: 85,018 -- the largest football venue in South America

Why will Messi play only this match?

Argentina have three friendly matches scheduled during the upcoming international window -- against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. However, following discussions with coach Lionel Scaloni, 39-year-old Messi has decided to feature only against Benin. The decision will give him the opportunity to bid farewell directly from the pitch in front of his home fans.

Reunion with World Cup teammates

The AFA has announced that the entire Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, along with their families, have been specially invited to attend the match. As a result, Messi’s final game is set to become a historic celebration of the entire World Cup-winning team.

A look at Messi’s international career

Appearances and goals: 125 goals in 207 appearances -- the most in Argentina’s history

Major honours: 2022 World Cup, Copa America 2021 and 2024

A surprise inclusion 

Roman Vega, a 22-year-old left-back, was the only surprise inclusion for Argentina in the 28-member squad called up for the three friendlies by coach Scaloni.

This is Vega’s first senior Argentina call-up after a career that has taken him from Argentinos Juniors to Barcelona B and, in 2025, to Zenit.

Yet Vega is not a completely unknown figure to the Argentine setup.

He already wore the national shirt at youth level, featuring at the Under-20 World Cup alongside players such as Valentin Barco and Agustin Giay -- both of whom have also been called up. His senior call-up therefore feels less like an isolated gamble and more like another step in a pathway Scaloni has been monitoring for some time.

His arrival also adds an intriguing dimension to the left side of Argentina's defence. Vega's inclusion suggests that Scaloni is looking beyond the players who carried Argentina through the previous cycle and beginning to build the next generation of depth.