OMM Redaksiyası
Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina when the national team face Benin in a friendly on Wednesday, according to the report.
The 39-year-old will say farewell at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, home of River Plate. The venue, which holds around 85,000 spectators, is South America’s largest stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 2 a.m. Türkiye time (2300 GMT on Tuesday).
Messi has made 28 appearances for Argentina at the stadium, winning 22 matches and drawing six without suffering a defeat. He has scored 19 goals there, more than at any other venue in Argentina.
His first goal at the Monumental came against Uruguay in a 2008 World Cup qualifier. He later scored hat-tricks against Bolivia in 2021 and 2024.
Messi’s international career has spanned 21 years. He holds Argentina’s appearance record with 207 matches and is the country’s leading scorer with 125 goals, while also ranking as South America’s top international scorer.
He has won six international trophies at senior and youth level: a FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles, a Finalissima, Olympic gold and a FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and helped the team reach the final of the 2026 tournament, described in the report as the final major competition of his international career. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time, with Messi scoring eight goals during the tournament.
He has appeared in six World Cups—in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026—for a record total of 34 matches. His record across those tournaments stands at 23 wins, five draws and six defeats.
Messi scored seven goals during Argentina’s 2022 title-winning campaign and eight at the 2026 tournament. His 21 World Cup goals place him second on the competition’s all-time scoring list, behind France’s Kylian Mbappé, who has 22.
