Argentina Sets October 6 Farewell for Messi Against Benin, Vacates No. 10 Until Then

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina's national team on August 31, posting on Instagram that he'd been weighing the decision since the World Cup final loss to Spain in July, and that his father Jorge's death on August 8 made it final.

Argentina's September 4 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela at Estadio Monumental doubled as Messi's real send-off. He scored twice in a 3-0 win, calling it "my last match playing for points."

AFA president Claudio Tapia has now set the ceremonial farewell for October 6, a friendly against Benin at the same stadium. Tapia has invited the entire 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families, calling it "the last tango of the best in the world."

Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed no one will wear the No. 10 for Argentina until Messi's farewell match is done. AFA reportedly wanted to retire the number outright, but FIFA rules require every squad number from 1 to 26 be assigned on a tournament roster — the same rule that eventually passed Diego Maradona's No. 10 down to Messi. So the vacancy is temporary, not permanent. Messi will wear it one last time against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental, with the number set to pass to a new player as Argentina moves into its post-Messi era from 2027.

Tickets for October 6 sold out in under two hours after going on sale September 25, priced roughly $19 to $316. The match will air on Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland and stream on ZEE5 in India.

Messi leaves international duty as the World Cup's all-time top scorer, having passed Miroslav Klose with 8 goals at the 2026 tournament — a final Argentina lost to Spain.