Messi’s farewell match against Benin on October 6 closes out a 207-appearance Argentina career — so what happens to the team once he’s no longer part of it?
What’s confirmed
Messi announced his international retirement in August, calling the decision painful even though he felt the time had come. His Argentina career ends with 207 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists. After the Benin match, Argentina is expected to begin moving toward a new attacking setup under head coach Lionel Scaloni, ahead of upcoming World Cup qualification fixtures.
What isn’t confirmed yet
The available reporting doesn’t lay out specifics — no confirmed replacement, formation change, or named players for the new attacking setup. What’s known is limited to the fact that a transition is expected to start once the farewell match is over.
What to watch for
- Scaloni’s squad selections for the next qualifying window
- Any official AFA statements on tactical changes following October 6
- How the attack is structured without Messi as the reference point he’s been for nearly two decades
Since this transition hasn’t fully played out yet, it’s worth following Scaloni’s and the AFA’s official statements after the Benin match for the actual details, rather than assuming what shape the new setup will take.
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