Lionel Messi will make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina tonight, ending a 21-year international career with a farewell match against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental.

Kick-off is at 20:00 in Buenos Aires, which is 01:00 on Wednesday in Kigali. The match is a tribute rather than a competitive test. Benin are ranked 93rd in the world.

Messi announced his international retirement on August 31, saying he had “nothing more to give” after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) arranged tonight’s match to give him a farewell on home soil.

Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi is expected to make a last appearance, while midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were called up only for this match, which could also be their final one for Argentina.

AFA president Claudio Tapia invited every member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend with their families. Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will miss the occasion after Roma declined to release them.

National coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi “leaves behind something unequaled.”

Messi made his senior international debut in 2005. Tonight’s match will be his 208th cap, extending his record as Argentina’s most-capped player. He is also the national team’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, and its record assist-maker with 68.

His honours with Argentina include the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, and the 2022 Finalissima.