Argentina-Benin: Messi’s farewell at the Monumental, with kickoff confirmed

What AFA has confirmed

Argentina will play Benin on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at the Monumental stadium, according to the official schedule released by the Argentine Football Association for this friendly window.

The same AFA schedule placed the match at the end of a series that included Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium, and Burkina Faso on October 3, also at the Monumental. For the Benin match, the confirmed details are the date, kickoff time and venue.

Why this date is more than a friendly

Messi changed the context. On August 31, 2026, AFA published a letter presented as the Argentina captain’s retirement announcement from the national team. Since then, the October schedule has carried a clear meaning: a sporting farewell rather than just another international window.

AFA also announced the “Gracias, Leo” Fan Fest for October 6 at the UBA Ciudad Universitaria sports field, including a giant screen to watch the match. This article focuses on the game at the Monumental; the Fan Fest is included only as part of the emotional and public setting that AFA itself gave the day.

What to keep in mind before the match

AFA has not announced a change of venue or kickoff time for Argentina-Benin. Details on access, traffic restrictions, ticket availability or special guests are not included here because they may depend on operational communications closer to the event.

The practical takeaway is straightforward: anyone planning to attend or travel should check AFA and relevant authority communications during October 6, because the organization of a day of this scale can update details as it develops.