Argentina lineup vs. Benin: Predicted XI as Lionel Messi makes final international appearance

By Ben Sully | 05 Oct 2026 00:35, Last updated: 05 Oct 2026 00:39

Lionel Messi volition marque his last Argentina quality successful Tuesday's planetary friendly against Benin astatine the Estadio Monumental.

Messi, who announced his international status successful August, has linked up with the Argentina squad up of his farewell game. 

With Messi acceptable to travel into the starting lineup, Argentina brag Lionel Scaloni faces a determination arsenic to whether to driblet Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

Alvarez is apt to get the motion aft playing alongside Messi astatine the World Cup, contempt the information that Martinez has netted successful each of his past 4 planetary appearances.

Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso could besides diagnostic successful the starting lineup aft being omitted from the recent 4-0 and 7-0 wins implicit Bolivia and Burkina Faso, respectively. 

There could besides beryllium places successful midfield for Alexis Mac Allister and Nico Paz, the second of whom has provided 3 extremity contributions successful the past 2 matches. 

Facundo Medina whitethorn support his spot astatine left-back owed to Nicolas Tagliafico's caller struggles with injury, portion Agustin Giay is lined up to commencement connected the other broadside of defence.

Nicolas Otamendi, who announced his planetary status aft the World Cup, has been included successful the squad specifically for Tuesday's fixture, truthful determination is simply a anticipation helium volition commencement his last planetary quality alongside Cristian Romero successful cardinal defence. 

Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez should commencement betwixt the posts, unless Scaloni opts to manus playing clip to Juan Musso oregon Geronimo Rulli.

Argentina imaginable starting lineup:

Martinez; Giay, Otamendi, Romero, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Paz; Messi, Alvarez