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Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 7, with kickoff at 8pm local time (1am UK time). In the UK, viewers can watch the game live on Premier Sports 2 starting from midnight. The choice of Benin as opponents is attributed to financial considerations by the Argentine Football Association rather than sporting rivalry or significance.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Lionel Messi, a 39-year-old superstar, will play his final match for Argentina on October 6 in a friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This farewell game marks the end of an era, as Messi leaves behind an extraordinary legacy including a World Cup title and two Copa America trophies, along with being Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals. Over 85,000 spectators are expected to attend what is likely to be an emotional night for fans in Buenos Aires.
Messi will wear a special commemorative shirt designed specifically for this occasion, featuring gold details and symbols reflecting his legendary status, including the "Sun of May" from the Argentine flag and goat horns representing his "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) status. Messi's final match will be broadcast on Premier Sports 2 in the UK starting at midnight BST on October 7, with kick-off set for 8pm local time in Buenos Aires.
Written for “Lionel Messi Farewell Match” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 7 other(s) covering the same event.
A glittering international career, which has produced one World Cup win and two Copa America triumphs, Messi will lead his nation out at the Monumental Stadium for what will be an emotional night in Buenos Aires.
asserted
what → glitter → Aires
“It’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said recently.
asserted
Scaloni → go → everyone
“Everyone wants to be at this match, and now it’s just about enjoying it.”
asserted
it → want → it
The match will be played at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm local time, which is 1am UK time in the morning of Wednesday, October 7.
asserted
which → play → Wednesday
How to watch Messi's last Argentina match
TV channel:
asserted
watch → watch → channel
In the UK and Ireland, Premier Sports holds the rights to Argentina's matches, including Messi's farewell against Benin.
asserted
Sports → hold → Benin
The match will be broadcast on Premier Sports 2, with coverage starting at 12am midnight in the UK.
asserted
coverage → broadcast → UK
UK viewers can watch Premier Sports 2 via the website or app.
asserted
viewers → watch → website
Why is Messi retiring from Argentina?
asserted
Messi → retire → Argentina
Messi announced that he would bring his international career to an end following the 2026 World Cup.
“I gave it my all.
asserted
I → announce → all
I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote when announcing his international retirement in August.
asserted
Messi → have → August
His final appearance represents the end of an Argentina career that began more than 20 years ago and ultimately delivered the trophies he had spent much of his career chasing.
asserted
he → represent → career
Messi led Argentina to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 World Cup.
asserted
Messi → lead → 2021
He also reached the 2018 and 2026 World Cup finals.
asserted
He → reach → finals
He is also Argentina's record appearance holder and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals heading into his farewell.
asserted
He → lead → farewell
Why were Benin picked as Messi's last opponents?
asserted
Benin → pick → opponents
The choice of Benin is a curious one, but perhaps explained quite simply.
asserted
choice → explain → Benin
According to The Guardian, an international opponent such as the world’s 89th-best nation according to FIFA commands a relatively low cost in terms of match fees compared to a more established , higher-profile opponent.
uncertain
opponent → accord → opponent
This, in turn, allows the Argentine Football Association to retain a larger share of the revenue generated from the fixture.
asserted
Association → allow → fixture
But, the event is simply a friendly fixtures arranged for Messi to bow out in front of a home crowd, while members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families have been invited to attend.
asserted
members → arrange → squad
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