How to Watch Argentina vs Benin: Messi’s Final Game for Argentina

Lionel Messi will make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina when Lionel Scaloni’s side face Benin in an international friendly on Tuesday, October 6.

The highly anticipated match will be played at the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where Messi has made 28 appearances for Argentina.

The fixture will mark the end of Messi’s 21-year international career after the 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football in August.

Argentina will face Benin on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm ET, which is 2am on Wednesday, October 7, in Kenya.

For Kenyan fans, the match will therefore be played in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Where to Watch Argentina vs Benin

Fans should watch the match through official broadcasters and licensed streaming platforms available in their respective countries. In the United States, the match will be available on ViX, with streaming available through ViX Premium.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match on Premier Sports 2 and stream it through the Premier Sports Player.

In Mexico, the match will be available on ViX Mexico.

How to Watch Messi’s Final Game in Kenya

Kenyans with access to DStv can watch the Argentina vs Benin match on SuperSport EPL, Channel 223.

DStv viewers who prefer to watch the match on their phones, laptops, or compatible Smart TVs can also use the DStv Stream platform with an active subscription.

For GOtv viewers in Kenya, the match can be followed on SuperSport Premier League, Channel 66. The channel is available to subscribers on the GOtv Supa+ package.

Messi’s Final Argentina Appearance

Messi is expected to start the match as Argentina prepares to give its greatest-ever footballer an emotional farewell.

The Inter Miami forward will leave the international stage as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and appearance holder, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.

His record includes 21 goals in 34 World Cup matches, with seven of those goals coming during Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign.

Messi also helped Argentina win two Copa América titles and the Finalissima during his decorated international career.

The 2022 World Cup triumph ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for football’s biggest prize and completed one of the few major honours missing from Messi’s career.

Photo of Lionel Messi being tossed in the air by teammates after victory against Egypt on July 7 at Atlantic Stadium
PHOTO/AFP

Also Read:Is Messi the GOAT? How Spain Dominated Argentina in the Final

Argentina Enter the Match in Strong Form

Argentina head into Messi’s farewell match in impressive form. The world champions recently recorded a 4-0 victory over Bolivia before producing a 7-0 demolition of Burkina Faso.

Messi has also been in excellent form for Inter Miami, scoring 12 goals in 13 appearances since the World Cup final, including a goal in each of his last four matches.

Argentina’s recent international friendly record reads:

W W W W W W

Their overall recent form is:

W W W L W W

Also Read:Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona: How Much Their Signed Jerseys Are Worth

Benin Looking to Spoil the Farewell Party

While much of the attention will be on Messi, Benin will be determined to produce a strong performance against the world champions.

The West African nation returned to action with a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match before recording a 2-1 victory over Mauritania.

Charlotte FC’s Rodolfo Aloko scored both goals in the win, helping Benin move to four points from their opening two AFCON qualifying matches. Benin have also conceded no more than one goal in five of their last six matches.

Their recent international friendly form is:

W W D L

Their overall form is:

W W D L D W

Argentina Team News

Argentina will be without Villarreal defender Juan Foyth and River Plate attacker Thiago Almada, who withdrew from the original squad because of injuries.

Nicolás Tagliafico remains a doubt after missing Argentina’s recent victories over Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso could return to the starting lineup after being left out of the previous two friendlies.

Messi is expected to start his farewell match, with Lautaro Martínez potentially making way for the Inter Miami forward.

Nicolás Otamendi is also expected to feature after joining the squad specifically for the farewell fixture following his retirement announcement in July.

Possible Lineups

Argentina: Martínez; Giay, Otamendi, Romero, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Paz; Messi, Álvarez.

Benin: Djandjinou; Azongnitode, Roche, Tijani, Ourou; Hassane, D’Almeida; Aloko, Olaitan, Ourorou; Tosin.

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Photo of Benin National Football Team while lining up against Egypt for AFCON game at Grand Stadium on January 5,2026
PHOTO/BBC