Rabat – Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has admitted he expects an emotional night when Lionel Messi makes his farewell appearance for the national team against Benin next month.
Messi, 39, announced his international retirement at the end of August but has been included in Argentina’s squad for the October 6 friendly at River Plate’s Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The fixture will serve as his final appearance for the Albiceleste.
Speaking on Thursday, Scaloni said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner deserves the opportunity to say goodbye to Argentine supporters in the way he wants.
“It will be difficult not to cry that day. It is a privilege to be there,” Scaloni said.
The coach’s comments come as Argentina prepare for three friendlies during the upcoming international window, beginning against Bolivia on September 30 before facing Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin three days later.
Messi set for final Argentina appearance
The Argentine Football Association confirmed earlier this month that Messi would return for one final game after ending his international career following the 2026 World Cup.
AFA president Claudio Tapia said the federation wanted to give its longtime captain “the farewell he truly deserves,” with members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families also invited to attend the match.
Messi will bring down the curtain on an international career that began in August 2005.
He has made 207 senior appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals, both national records. His honors include the 2022 World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 Finalissima.
The Inter Miami forward also represented Argentina at six World Cups, with his final tournament ending in defeat to Spain in the 2026 final.
For Scaloni, who has coached Messi through some of the most successful years of his international career, October 6 will mark the end of an era.
The Argentina coach said he had done what he could to ensure the farewell took place, adding that he wanted the chance to be present for Messi’s final goodbye to the national team.
