Lionel Messi celebrated after finding the net during Argentina's international friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — his confirmed final appearance in an Argentina shirt.
Lionel Messi contests possession with Yohan Roche of Benin during the international friendly at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — the evening Messi made his last appearance for Argentina.
Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates watched a post match drone show at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on 6 October 2026, part of the farewell ceremony following his final international appearance.
Lionel Messi took the microphone to address the packed crowd at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires after the final whistle on 6 October 2026, bidding an emotional farewell in his last Argentina match.
Nicolas Paz of Argentina celebrates after scoring during the international friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — the match also celebrated as Lionel Messi's international farewell.
Lionel Messi is mobbed by his Argentina teammates in celebration after scoring at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026, in what proved to be his last goal and last cap for the national side.
Lionel Messi celebrates at the front of a jubilant huddle after scoring for Argentina against Benin at the Monumental Stadium on 6 October 2026 — a goal that will be remembered as among the last acts of a historic international career.
Lionel Messi, seen at the right of a group embrace, celebrates with Argentina teammates following his goal against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — the night that closed his international career.
Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina celebrates after scoring during the international friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026, the historic evening marking Lionel Messi's final cap.
Lionel Messi reacts with visible elation after netting for Argentina in the friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — his last outing in the famous light blue and white jersey.
Lionel Messi waves to supporters inside the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires ahead of the friendly against Benin on 6 October 2026, before what would prove to be his final competitive appearance for Argentina.
Lionel Messi, third from left, lines up alongside his Argentina teammates for the pre match photo against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — his final such team photograph as an international player.
Lionel Messi goes through his pre match warm up routine at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, ahead of the international friendly against Benin on 6 October 2026 — an evening that would mark the close of his Argentina career.
Lionel Messi, fourth from right in frame, unleashes a shot during Argentina's friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026, in his confirmed final appearance for the national side.
Lionel Messi walks across the turf at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, before the friendly against Benin on 6 October 2026, soaking in the atmosphere ahead of the last match of his remarkable international career.
Lionel Messi stretches during pre match preparations at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on 6 October 2026, warming up for what was to be his farewell appearance in an Argentina national team kit.
Lionel Messi wears the captain's armband ahead of the friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, on 6 October 2026 — reportedly the last time he would captain Argentina in an international fixture.
Lionel Messi completes a final warm up at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires ahead of Argentina's friendly against Benin on 6 October 2026 — marking the close of one of international football's most celebrated careers.