Lionel Messi is set to wear Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt for one final time when the world champions face Benin in a farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental on October 6, 2026.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that the legendary number will remain vacant for the other matches in the September–October international window, allowing Messi to have the shirt entirely to himself when he makes his final appearance for the national team.
The decision will give the Argentina captain an emotional send-off in front of an expected crowd of around 85,000 supporters at the Monumental, as the country prepares to celebrate one of the most influential players in its football history.
Messi’s farewell will also mark the beginning of a transition for Argentina, with the national team preparing to move into a new era after the departure of its most celebrated modern player.
Argentina Reserve No. 10 for Messi’s Farewell
Scaloni has confirmed that no other player will wear Argentina’s No. 10 during the September–October international window before Messi’s final match.
The number will remain unused for the friendlies against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, preserving its association with Messi until the October 6 encounter against Benin.
The decision is intended to make the farewell more meaningful, ensuring that Messi remains the only player wearing the iconic shirt during his final international appearance.
The No. 10 has long held a special place in Argentina’s football identity. It has been associated with some of the country’s most celebrated players, including Diego Maradona and Messi, making its treatment after the captain’s retirement a significant issue for the national team.
Following the farewell, the Argentine Football Association has framed 2027 as the beginning of a new chapter, with younger players expected to take on greater responsibility.
Messi’s Final International Appearance
Messi announced his international retirement in late August, bringing an end to a remarkable career with Argentina.
His decision came weeks after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and following the death of his father, Jorge. The announcement marked the conclusion of an international journey that included major individual records and some of the most important achievements in Argentina’s football history.
Messi is set to finish his international career with 207 caps and a national-team record of 125 goals before the farewell friendly. His appearance against Benin will be his 208th for Argentina.
The October 6 match will provide supporters with an opportunity to celebrate his contribution to the national team, including Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph and the many years he spent representing the country on the international stage.
AFA president Claudio Tapia described the occasion as “the last tango of the best player in the world” and invited members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families to attend the event at the Monumental.
Special Argentina Shirt Designed for Messi
The farewell match will also feature a specially designed Argentina shirt created to mark Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
Adidas has replaced the familiar striped design with a sky-blue base and a single white band running down the centre. Gold lettering featuring “MESSI” and the number 10 will appear on the back.
The shirt also incorporates a sunburst inspired by Argentina’s Sun of May, a national symbol, across the design. Messi’s personal “M” logo will appear in the position usually occupied by the Adidas mark.
The one-off kit is intended to make the occasion distinct from an ordinary international friendly and provide a lasting symbol of Messi’s final night in Argentina colours.
Messi previewed the shirt with the words: “Último partido… Una camiseta para toda la vida.”
The message, meaning “Last match… A shirt for a lifetime,” captures the emotional significance of the occasion for the player and his supporters.
Benin Friendly to Take Place at the Monumental
The choice of Benin as Argentina’s opponent has attracted some criticism, with questions raised about the limited history between the two national teams.
However, the setting is central to the farewell plans. The Estadio Monumental, with a capacity of approximately 85,000, will provide a large home crowd for Messi’s final appearance.
The match is expected to be a celebration of his international career, rather than simply another fixture in the calendar.
Messi will be joined for the occasion by teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, who are also included in the squad specifically for the farewell match.
The remaining fixtures in the international window will have a different focus, giving Argentina an opportunity to assess emerging talent and prepare for the period after Messi’s retirement.
Argentina Begins Planning for a New Generation
With Messi preparing to step away from international football, attention is already turning towards the players who could help lead Argentina into its next era.
Young talents such as Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono are among those expected to receive opportunities during the international window. Their involvement reflects the national team’s broader objective of developing its next generation while maintaining its competitive standards.
The future of Argentina’s No. 10 shirt will be one of the major questions following Messi’s departure.
Names already being discussed include Nico Paz and Alexis Mac Allister, although no permanent decision has been confirmed.
FIFA regulations also make the permanent retirement of a shirt number difficult in official international tournaments. Argentina therefore faces a distinction between reserving the number for Messi’s farewell and deciding how it will be used in future competitions.
A similar challenge surrounded efforts to permanently retire Maradona’s No. 10, highlighting the difficulties of removing an iconic number from international football.
A Final Night for Argentina’s No. 10
Messi’s final appearance against Benin will bring a remarkable international career to a close and offer Argentina supporters a chance to pay tribute to a player who has shaped the country’s football history.
For one night, the No. 10 will remain exclusively associated with Messi. The special kit, the Monumental setting and the presence of members of Argentina’s World Cup-winning generation will all contribute to the occasion.
After October 6, the focus will shift towards the future, as Argentina prepares to build a team capable of competing without its long-serving captain.
The next player to wear the shirt will inherit a number with a significant history and enormous expectations. But before that chapter begins, Argentina will have one final opportunity to celebrate Messi in the colours he represented for so many years.
On October 6, the Monumental will say goodbye to Messi as Argentina’s No. 10 takes the field one last time.
Esther Afriyie Kumah is the Digital Media & Operations Manager and a writer AL Media Sports, the sports division of AL Media Group. She specializes in sports journalism, content and video production, covering Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and African football with in-depth match reports, tactical analysis, player ratings, and expert insights.