Lionel Messi's Argentina Farewell Set for October

Lionel Messi will play one final match for Argentina in a farewell friendly against Benin on 6 October at River Plate's Estadio Monumental. The Argentine FA confirmed the tribute for the 39-year-old icon, who retired from international duty last month after the 2026 World Cup final.

Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia invited the entire 2022 World Cup-winning squad to ensure Messi gets the send-off he deserves. His retirement followed Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 final and came after he said he was considering his future following the death of his father, Jorge.

Across Argentina, every professional match in the upcoming Clausura round will feature a special tribute. Referees will pause play at the 10-minute mark for a minute of applause from fans and players. This coordinated gesture by the Argentine Football Association honors Messi's 21 years of service, a career that saw him lead the nation to the 2022 World Cup title.

Messi's focus now returns to club football with Inter Miami, where he is chasing silverware to avoid a rare barren season. His next chance is the Campeones Cup against Liga MX champions Cruz Azul on Wednesday, 16 September. Miami's form has been inconsistent, with just one win in nine games, but Messi remains lethal, scoring his 99th goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Nashville on Sunday. He leads the MLS scoring charts with 19 goals in 22 games this season.

Interim manager Guillermo Hoyos called Messi a "one of a kind player" after his latest goal. The club awaits the official arrival of new coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez, whose start is delayed by visa issues.

Yes, Messi is set to become the sole owner of Spanish club Deportivo Eldense. He has agreed in principle to purchase the Alicante-based club from the Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group. The deal is pending due diligence and approval from Spain's High Council for Sports. This follows his April 2026 purchase of a stake in UE Cornella, a fifth-division side in Catalonia. These investments highlight his lasting connection to Spanish football and a focus on youth development.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Messi's final Argentina match is a friendly vs Benin on 6 October at Estadio Monumental.
• Argentine leagues will honor him with a 10th-minute applause in all matches.
• He seeks his first trophy of the season with Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup on 16 September.
• Messi is finalizing a deal to become the full owner of Spanish club Deportivo Eldense.