Messi's farewell match kicks off: Argentina vs Benin live updates

The long‑awaited farewell match for Lionel Messi started on time at 7 pm ET, with Argentina taking on Benin in a friendly that doubles as a celebration of the Argentine forward’s international career.

According to The Guardian, the pre‑match coverage highlighted Messi’s staggering statistical record, noting that his two recent World Cup cycles alone would occupy any statistician’s notebook. The outlet’s own Ryan Benson summed it up by saying the Argentine legend has “completed football.”

While the match itself offers an opportunity for the squad to experiment ahead of upcoming fixtures, the focus remains on Messi’s final moments on the pitch, with fans worldwide watching for a fitting send‑off.

Live commentary and post‑match analysis will continue on this site, and readers can also find related highlights of the game here.