Lionel Messi will make Argentina's return to the Argentina national team next week with Benin in an international friendly match for Argentina at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires to play the world champions in the Estadio Monumental as they meet Benin on Tuesday night. That match is viewed as one of Argentina's most emotional events and the fans of Argentina will see Messi's hometown football match as a career-making match-up for Messi as a farewell match against an Argentine-born Argentina football team that can mark the legendary forward on their home soil.
The Argentina vs Benin match will take place on Tuesday, October 6 in Buenos Aires. Argentina and India have a time difference and so their match starts in early morning on Wednesday, October 7 for Indian viewers. In fact, for those who want to see Messi’s final performance for Argentina they will have to watch the game in the early morning.
Argentina vs Benin: When Is The Match In India?
Argentina will play Benin on Tuesday, October 6 at 8:00 PM local time. In India, the match will take place on Wednesday, October 7 at 4:30 AM IST.
The timing means that Indian football fans will have to stay up late or wake up early to watch Messi’s farewell as a live audience for Messi’s game live. The match will take place at Buenos Aires’ iconic Estadio Monumental, a historical stadium with an atmosphere that will be the centre of the ground to witness the event.
Argentina already played two games during the international break and beat Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Messi was not involved in the past two games but is back in the squad for the meeting with Benin.
Argentina vs Benin Live Telecast In India
According to the available broadcast information, the Argentina vs Benin friendly will be shown live in India on the Unite8 Sports 2 TV channel.
People with access to the channel can watch the match live on television from 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday. Since the match is taking place in Buenos Aires on Tuesday evening, the Indian broadcast is in the early morning hours.
Messi’s match will attract high attention in India because of Messi’s match. The Argentine captain has developed a big fan base in India over his international career, and that’s more so after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win.
Argentina vs Benin Live Streaming Details
Supporters who prefer to attend the match online can watch the Argentina vs Benin match with the Zee5 website and application in India, according to the available streaming details.
The online streaming service could be of particular use for fans who want to watch the match on their mobile phone, tablet, computer or compatible connected television. The live event on the platform should be available and fans should check the availability of the live event on the platform before kick-off for streaming access if not the broadcast package or service.
For viewers looking to watch Messi's farewell live, the key details are the 4:30 AM IST kick-off time on October 7 and the Zee5 streaming option.
Why Lionel Messi’s Farewell Is Significant
The Argentina vs Benin match has been so much more about Messi’s expected farewell. Messi has now been representing Argentina for more than two decades and has been at the forefront of one of the most successful periods in the country’s recent international football history.
Messi made his Argentina senior debut in 2005 and has since been the country’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer. His international careers have also included three Copa América honours at the 2021 and 2024 editions and Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar.
His relationship with the national team also has a lot of hard times as well. Messi reached the 2014 World Cup final with Argentina but lost to Germany. The team also suffered defeats at the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals before finally the long wait for a major senior international trophy.
The 2021 Copa América victory changed that story and Messi finally won a major senior title with Argentina. That win was followed by the World Cup win in 2022 when Argentina beat France in the final by a penalty shootout.
Messi’s Argentina Career In Numbers
Messi has become one of Argentina’s most productive players. He made his senior international debut in 2005 and has since made more than 200 appearances for the national side.
His international goals have also placed him at the top of Argentina's scoring charts. Messi has broken national and international records in his career and represents Argentina well into his late 30s.
His longevity means he has played with varying generations of Argentina players. Messi has been in the national team since he was in his early years with veterans from the 2006 and 2010 World Cup teams to work with younger players.
Argentina vs Benin Could Become An Emotional Night
While the match is a friendly, Messi’s presence is much more important. His contribution to the Argentina Football Association and national team will be acknowledged on this occasion so the game as well, so that it will make it more than just an international date.
The Estadio Monumental had hosted some of the most memorable moments in Argentina’s football history. Messi's final match in a big stadium would thus be a fitting place to close out his international career.
As for Indian viewers, the main difficulty will be the early kick-off time. And those who expect Messi’s final Argentina appearance live will have to go at 4:30 AM IST on October 7 to watch the game.
Argentina vs Benin: Live Streaming And Telecast Details
The match will be played at 8:00 PM local time on Tuesday, October 6 which comes out to 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday, October 7. TV broadcast in India is listed on Unite8 Sports 2, and online viewers can watch the match through Zee5 website and application.
With Messi going to make his Argentina final home appearance on home soil, the Argentina vs Benin friendly could become one of the most eagerly awaited international fixtures for Indian football fans during the October international break.
