Benin Set for Historic Friendly Against Argentina as Messi’s Farewell Tour Arrives in South America

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that Benin will be one of three opponents for Lionel Messi’s farewell series with the Albiceleste, with the match set for October 6 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. For a nation that has never qualified for a World Cup and sits 93rd in the FIFA rankings, this is a debut appearance against the world champions and the sport’s most decorated active player.

The friendly is part of a three-match window for Argentina, which also includes games against Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Benin’s inclusion came as a late change to their own schedule: they had originally been booked to face Tunisia, but accepted the invitation to travel 8,000 kilometers to Buenos Aires instead.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|——–|————-|
| Match date | October 6, 2026 |
| Venue | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires |
| Benin FIFA ranking | 93rd |
| Benin World Cup history | Never qualified (came closest in 2026) |
| Benin coach | Gernot Rohr (former Nigeria manager) |

A familiar face on the opposing bench

Benin’s head coach is Gernot Rohr, the German-born tactician who led Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In that tournament, his Super Eagles team faced Argentina in a decisive group-stage match. Rohr’s side took the lead through Victor Moses, but a late goal from Marcos Rojo secured a 2-1 win for Argentina, sending them through to the knockout rounds while Nigeria was eliminated.

Ahead of that match, Rohr told reporters: “Adoramos a Leo Messi, todo el mundo lo ama, pero para nosotros no es importante si es su último Mundial. No estamos aquí para ver como juega Messi, en el mundo no hay piedad, no hay compasión, aunque queramos mucho a Messi no podemos hacerle un regalo.”

Eight years later, Rohr now leads a team ranked 93rd in the world against the same opponent and the same player—this time in a farewell context rather than a knockout decider.

Benin’s near-miss in 2026 World Cup qualifying

The timing of this friendly is significant for Benin. In the 2026 African World Cup qualifiers, the Cheetahs finished third in Group C, level on points with Nigeria but eliminated on goal difference. South Africa topped the group. It was the closest Benin has ever come to reaching a World Cup finals.

That near-miss explains why the friendly carries extra weight for the West African side. While Argentina is celebrating a legend’s departure, Benin is using the fixture to build momentum for its next qualification cycle. The match also provides a rare global platform for a national team that rarely features in high-profile international windows.

What the match means for both sides

For Argentina, the friendly series is designed as a proper send-off for Messi, who has indicated this will be his final international appearances. The AFA scheduled three matches across two FIFA windows to give fans across the country a chance to see the World Cup-winning captain one last time in an Argentina shirt.

For Benin, the game is a double-edged opportunity. On one hand, it disrupts their preparation for African Cup of Nations qualifiers—they face Burkina Faso on September 25 and Mauritania on September 29, both in Ivory Coast, before flying to Argentina. On the other hand, facing the world’s best player on a global stage puts Benin’s football story in front of an audience that rarely sees them.

The Cheetahs have never played a match of this magnitude. Their previous high-profile friendlies have been limited to African opposition or lower-ranked European teams. A trip to Buenos Aires to face the reigning World Cup champions represents the biggest fixture in the nation’s football history.

Uncertainty and context

No official broadcast details or ticket sales information have been released by AFA at the time of writing. The friendly remains subject to final confirmation of travel arrangements and player availability, particularly for Benin’s Europe-based squad members, who may face a long mid-season journey.

Benin’s squad has not been announced, and it is unclear whether Rohr will field a full-strength team given the proximity to competitive AFCON qualifiers. Argentina’s squad list is also pending, though Messi’s participation is expected given the stated purpose of the series.

Source: Clarin Deportes – https://www.clarin.com/deportes/benin-invitado-inesperado-despedida-lionel-messi-dt-puso-apuros-rusia-2018-sueno-jugar-mundial_0_A5s0wPjyJy.html

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