Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance in an Argentina shirt. Argentina, the 2022 World Cup champions, will face Benin in a friendly at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (October 7). The match is expected to mark the end of Messi’s 21-year international career.

The historic match will kick off at 5:00am Bangladesh time on Thursday. It will not be broadcast live on any television channel in Bangladesh, but fans will be able to watch it online on ZEE5.

The 39-year-old Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31. He will therefore lead Argentina for the final time in front of a packed home crowd. Members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families are also expected to attend the special occasion.

Messi’s international achievements are extensive. He has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, along with 68 assists. He holds the records for both the most appearances and the most goals for the national team.

Among Messi’s major achievements with Argentina are the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

There is, however, some disappointment ahead of his farewell. More than two months ago, Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in New Jersey, missing out on the title.

Second-ranked Argentina will take on Benin, who are ranked 89th in the FIFA rankings. Benin are coached by experienced German manager Gernot Rohr, who was in charge of Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup.

The match could also be significant for several other Argentine players. Veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi is reportedly nearing retirement from international football. Various reports have also claimed that Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso could make their final appearances for Argentina.

All in all, the match against Benin is far more than just another friendly for Argentina. It is set to become an emotional farewell to one of the greatest stars in world football and the extraordinary international career of Lionel Messi.