Argentina vs Benin live scores: End of era as Lionel Messi prepares for Argentina’s final appearance in Buenos Aires – The Tech Word News

Argentina vs Benin Live Score, Lionel Messi Final Match 2026: The stage is set for one of the most emotional nights in Argentine football as Lionel Messi prepares to make his final appearance for the national team against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

More than two decades after his debut for Argentina against Hungary in August 2005, Messi will take to the pitch for the last time in the famous blue and white shirt. The occasion is expected to draw thousands of fans to the stadium, while millions more will watch from around the world as Argentina bid farewell to a player who defined an era.

Messi’s international journey has been full of extraordinary highs and painful lows. He suffered defeats in major finals before finally ending Argentina’s long wait for silverware. The breakthrough came with the triumph of the Copa America 2021, followed by the Finalissima 2022 and most importantly the FIFA World Cup 2022. He later helped Argentina win another Copa America title in 2024, capping one of the greatest international careers in football history.

His relationship with the national team also survived moments of frustration. Messi briefly announced his international retirement in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile on penalties, only to reverse the decision and return to lead the next generation of players.

Now, with the final whistle of his Argentinian career approaching, attention will turn to what comes next. Messi will be joined by familiar faces such as Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, while members of the 2022 World Cup winners’ squad who are no longer part of the national team are set to take part from the stands.

For Benin, who are ranked 93rd in the world, the match is an opportunity to share the pitch with one of football’s biggest icons. For Argentina, it’s a farewell to a player who carried on the legacy of Diego Maradona and helped bring the national team back to the top.

Messi has already trained with the team and will be looking forward to making his final appearance memorable. The next generation will eventually inherit Argentina’s famous number 10 legacy, but this night belongs to Messi.