Lionel Messi is set to play his final match in Argentina’s national team jersey this Tuesday, October 6, facing Benin at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires. The friendly marks the end of a career that spans more than two decades with the Albiceleste, during which Messi helped Argentina capture six major titles, including the 2022 World Cup.
But before kickoff, Benin’s goalkeeper, Marcel Dandjinou, made clear he won’t be rolling out the red carpet for soccer’s biggest icon. In comments ahead of the match, Dandjinou said that if Messi wants to score on his big night, he’ll have to work for it. “My job is to stop shots, no matter who’s taking them,” he said, framing the encounter as a professional challenge rather than a ceremonial send-off.
The matchup adds an intriguing subplot to what is expected to be an emotional night for Argentine fans, who will gather to honor Messi’s legacy one final time in the blue-and-white jersey. While the outcome of the friendly carries little competitive weight, the goalkeeper’s bold remarks have added a playful rivalry to the occasion, reminding fans that even farewell matches can carry real stakes on the field.
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Source: <![CDATA[Portero de Benín reta a Messi previo a su partido de despedida con Argentina]]> (RSS::excelsior.com.mx – Portada).
Image: USAG-Humphreys, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).