Lionel Messi's Final Argentina Game: Date, Kick-off & Where to Watch

· GiveMeSport

Details of Lionel Messi's last ever game for Argentina as the Inter Miami and Barcelona legend calls time on an illustrious international career

删掉了社交分享/评论提示、播放器控件、推广语、作者署名行、纯符号行及末尾的"GOAT"评论引导句等网页残渣。

Lionel Messi has been the ultimate mainstay of the Argentina national team for over two decades, delivering countless memorable moments, not least a World Cup and two Copas América .

But like all good things, Messi's dance on the international stage must come to an end. The Albiceleste's defeat in the 2026 World Cup final to Spain failed to provide the fairytale ending Messi was hoping for, especially as many journalists and fans predicted that the competition would be his last as an Argentina player.

And when news of his international retirement broke, the Argentinian FA moved swiftly to plan a farewell fixture worthy of Messi's legacy in the sport. With all the planning complete and the date set for his curtain call, here are all the key details as Lionel Messi prepares to exit the international scene.

Messi's final international match

The former Barcelona man will make his final, emotional appearance on home soil in a special international friendly. Argentina will face Benin at River Plate's iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6, 2026, kicking off at 8pm local time. For fans in the United States, such as Inter Miami supporters, it will be a 7pm kick-off and for UK fans, it will be midnight on October 6, heading into the early hours of October 7. You can see a selection of kick-off times across the world below.

- United Kingdom: 12 midnight (Oct 7) - United States: 7pm ET - Argentina: 8pm ART - Canada: 7pm EDT - Australia: 10am AEDT (Oct 7) - Spain: 1am CEST (Oct 7)

The stadium has a capacity exceeding 85,000, with Messi and adidas revealing a special Argentina jersey to commemorate the occasion. Rather than adidas' usual logo, the shirt will feature Messi's crest. The three Albiceleste stripes will also be included, with Messi's name and his no. 10 emblazoned in gold over Argentina's famous rising sun.

The fixture will provide the perfect platform for the Argentina captain to call time on his illustrious international career, celebrating in front of his country's people. "We've decided to invite the best player in the world," announced AFA president Claudio Tapia once the match was confirmed. "The icon of our national team, our captain Lionel Messi, so that he can receive the goodbye he truly deserves on October 6th, here, in Argentina."

How to watch

For fans watching from the United States and the United Kingdom, coverage of Messi's final international match will be accessible through major sports broadcasters and streaming platforms. United States fans can tune in live on Telemundo, Universo, or FS1 . ViX , TelevisaUnivision's streaming platform, will also be live-streaming the match. For fans in the United Kingdom, the fixture will be broadcast live exclusively on Premier Sports, or it can be streamed via the Premier Sports Player App .

- United States: Telemundo, Universo, FS1 — ViX - United Kingdom: Premier Sports 2 — Premier Sports Player App - Argentina: TyC Sports, Telefe, TV Pública — TyC Sports Play, Flow, DGO - Spain: Movistar Plus+, Gol Play — Movistar+ App - Mexico: TUDN, Canal 5 — ViX, TUDN App

In Argentina, the game will be broadcast live on TyC Sports, Telefe and TV Pública, while fans in Spain, where Messi forged his career, can tune in to Movistar Plus+ and Gol Play.

> "The moment has arrived. I leave in peace. I gave my all." > > - Lionel Messi > > "This jersey was my dream, my pride and my life. Thank you for loving me so much. I will always carry you with me."

Messi's Argentina career

Lionel Messi's 21-year international career has seen him come of age and build one of the most impressive legacies in the sport's history. After his final appearance against Benin, Messi will finish with 208 appearances for Argentina, and at least 125 goals for his country. For both appearances and goals, he is second only to longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo .

Despite his starring roles for both club and country, major honours eluded Messi for much of his international career. At his opening six Copa América tournaments with Argentina, the country finished runners-up an agonising four times, finishing third in 2019, and reaching the quarter-finals in 2011.

World Cups were a similar source of frustration. Following his tournament debut in 2006, Messi helped Argentina reach the quarter-finals on two occasions, and finished runners-up at a further two tournaments (2014 and 2026).

But in 2021, Messi's international curse was finally broken. The Argentina legend was instrumental to his country's first major trophy in 28 years, scoring or assisting nine of their 12 goals en route to Copa América glory. Messi added the Finalissima in 2022, with victory over European champions Italy, before claiming another Copa América in 2024.

But it was the 2022 World Cup that delivered Messi's crowning glory with Argentina. The diminutive playmaker scored seven goals and provided three assists, scoring twice in the final against France. The final ended 3-3 after extra time, before Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. Messi, of course, led by example, converting the opening penalty for his country. It was Argentina's first World Cup triumph in 36 years.

And whilst Messi fell just short of a second consecutive World Cup victory, he did finish the 2026 tournament with a few more records under his belt. He briefly became the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer, before being overtaken by Kylian Mbappé . But Messi did manage to claim, and hold on to, the all-time assists record, with 12.

Lionel Messi's Argentina Career Summary

- Timespan: 2005-2026 - Statistics: 207 caps / 125 goals (prior to retirement match) - Honours: World Cup (2022), Copa América (2021, 2024), Finalissima (2022) - Individual Honours: World Cup Golden Ball (2014, 2022), World Cup Silver Ball (2026), World Cup Silver Boot (2022, 2026), Copa América Golden Ball (2015, 2021), Copa América Golden Boot (2021), Argentine Footballer of the Year (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Read the original

People in this story

Related