Lionel Messi plays final Argentina match Tuesday vs. Benin

Tuesday marks a momentous day in Argentina soccer history as Lionel Messi dons the national team jersey for the final time, according to www.si.com. The legendary 39-year-old will make his 208th and final appearance for La Albiceleste in a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

That brings an extraordinary international career to a conclusion, per the report. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. BST (Oct. 7), with the date listed as Tuesday, Oct. 6 / Wednesday, Oct. 7. The exact start time in local Buenos Aires time is not specified in the source.

Messi has never faced Benin during his 21-year international career, but he will hope the African minnows are straightforward opponents as he aims to add to his tally of 125 Argentina goals. That number stands as one more marker in a career that has already secured his place among the greatest to ever play the game.

The stage is set at the Monumental, where Argentina’s faithful will gather to witness the end of an era. The details of how to watch the finale are already in place, with the broadcast plans confirmed for fans across multiple regions.

THE LEGACY AND THE NUMBERS

Messi propelled Argentina back to the summit of global soccer by winning the 2022 World Cup, according to www.si.com. That triumph was sandwiched in between historic Copa América victories, per the report, though the specific years of those titles are not detailed in the source.

He is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, according to the source, a haul that places him alone atop the sport’s individual honors. During his 21-year international career, Messi has scored 125 Argentina goals, per www.si.com, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer by a wide margin.

Messi has never faced Benin in his international career, according to the source, meaning Tuesday’s farewell will also mark a first meeting with the African nation. He will hope the minnows are straightforward opponents as he aims to add to that tally of 125 goals in his 208th and final appearance.