Lionel Scaloni has expressed his desire to be present when Lionel Messi potentially says goodbye to the Argentina national team.
Argentina’s meeting with Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6, 2026, is being projected as Messi’s final appearance for La Albiceleste. The match could provide the Argentina captain with the opportunity to receive a farewell from supporters after more than two decades representing his country.
For Scaloni, the occasion could carry an additional layer of significance.
The Argentina head coach is also approaching an uncertain period in his own international future. His contract with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is set to expire in December 2026, meaning the Benin fixture could become one of the final opportunities for Scaloni to stand alongside Messi as the team’s coach.
Scaloni Wants to Share Messi’s Farewell
Scaloni has made it clear that he wants to be present for Messi’s farewell with Argentina.
“I want to be there for his farewell,” Scaloni said during a press conference, as quoted by ESPN.
The statement reflects the importance of Messi’s final chapter with the national team.
After representing Argentina since his debut in 2005, Messi has become one of the most influential figures in the history of the national side. His departure therefore represents a significant moment for both the player and the supporters who have followed his international career.
Scaloni believes Messi deserves the opportunity to say goodbye in front of Argentina fans.
However, the coach also admitted that he does not know whether he will remain in charge of the national team in the future.
That uncertainty makes his desire to attend the farewell even more meaningful.
Scaloni’s Argentina Future Remains Unclear
While Messi’s international future appears to be approaching its conclusion, Scaloni is facing his own decision.
His contract with Argentina expires in December 2026.
The coach will therefore need to discuss the possibility of extending his tenure with AFA president Claudio Tapia before a decision is made about his future.
Scaloni has previously indicated that he would like to continue working with Argentina. However, no final decision has been reached.
That leaves the coach in an unusual position.
He could potentially be preparing for the next stage of Argentina’s international cycle while also approaching the end of his current contract.
The situation means the match against Benin could hold significance for both men.
For Messi, it could be the final opportunity to represent Argentina at the Monumental. For Scaloni, it could be one of his final matches alongside the captain before his contract expires.
Messi’s Remarkable Argentina Journey
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and has since established himself as the national team’s record appearance holder and leading goalscorer.
His international journey included difficult moments before eventually becoming one of the most successful periods in Argentina’s football history.
The breakthrough arrived with the 2021 Copa America title, which ended Argentina’s long wait for a major senior international trophy during Messi’s era.
A year later, Messi and Argentina reached the summit of world football by winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina then added another major trophy by winning the 2024 Copa America.
Messi’s major international achievements with Argentina include:
- Copa America 2021
- FIFA World Cup 2022
- Copa America 2024
Beyond the trophies, Messi has also established individual records that underline his importance to the national team.
He has finished his international career with 125 goals from 207 appearances for Argentina, making him the country’s most prolific goalscorer and most-capped player.
A Farewell More Than Two Decades in the Making
The potential Argentina farewell against Benin would represent the end of an international journey that began more than 20 years earlier.
Messi first appeared for Argentina in 2005, meaning his time with the national team has spanned multiple generations of players, coaches and supporters.
His journey has also included major changes in the expectations surrounding the national team.
For years, Messi faced intense pressure to deliver a major international trophy with Argentina. The success of the 2021 Copa America, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America changed that narrative.
Now, the focus has shifted toward how Argentina will eventually move forward without its long-time captain.
Before that next chapter begins, supporters could have one final opportunity to see Messi wearing the famous Argentina shirt at home.
Monumental Could Provide the Perfect Setting
The Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires could provide an emotional backdrop for Messi’s farewell.
Playing in front of Argentina supporters would give the captain the chance to receive recognition for his contribution to the national team.
It would also give fans the opportunity to celebrate a player who has represented Argentina throughout an extraordinary international career.
For Scaloni, being present for that occasion is clearly important.
His comment about wanting to be there also comes against the backdrop of his own uncertain future. Whether he continues beyond December 2026 remains a separate question, but the coach wants to share what could be Messi’s final Argentina appearance.
Two Futures Could Be Defined
Argentina’s match against Benin could therefore become more than an ordinary international fixture.
It has the potential to represent a major transition for the national team.
Messi could be preparing to close his international career, while Scaloni is approaching a decision over whether his own tenure will continue.
The coach has already expressed his wish to remain alongside Messi for the farewell.
For Argentina supporters, that could make the October 6 meeting at the Monumental particularly significant.
After more than two decades, Messi may have his final opportunity to wear the Argentina shirt on home soil. And if Scaloni remains on the touchline, he will have the chance to witness and share a moment that marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in La Albiceleste’s history.
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