Sports
Messi set for Argentina farewell against Benin amid debate over his №10 successor
September 26, 2026 at 08:00 PM
Coverage
3 reports · 2 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 2 hours
TGThe Guardian
Messi’s exit leaves Argentina with impossible task of replacing their superhero | Jonathan Wilson
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AJAl Jazeera Arabic
بعد اعتزال ميسي.. من يرث الرقم 10 في منتخب الأرجنتين؟
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera Arabic
كيف ستكون كرة القدم من دون ميسي؟.. وداع الأسطورة يقترب
(opens the publisher’s site)Lionel Messi, who retired from internationals in August after 21 years and 125 goals, will play his Argentina farewell friendly against Benin on October 6.
- The farewell match takes place at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, with tickets selling out within two hours.
- Argentina federation president Claudio Tapia announced the fixture and invited Messi's 2022 World Cup-winning teammates.
- Coach Lionel Scaloni said it will be difficult not to cry during the farewell and indicated he will sign a contract extension through the 2028 Copa América.
- La Nación reported Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono as leading candidates to inherit the №10 shirt, which FIFA rules bar Argentina from retiring.