Lionel Messi scored a 71st-minute penalty as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 at the Estadio Monumental on 6 October 2026, according to the ESPN match report and beIN Sports.
Hunch. Messi is a regular starter who scored his 19th league goal of the season on 12 September, while most of the eight were short cameos, so the case for a goal is stronger than the record, though Argentina have not said how long he will play.
This market resolves on the BBC Sport scores page for 6 October 2026 and the BBC match report, with the ESPN match page as the second source, checked on the morning of 7 October UK time. It resolves YES if Messi is credited with at least one goal in normal time or stoppage time, penalties in open play included; if he does not play, or if the game is not played by 7 October, it resolves NO.
We looked for friendlies since 2000 that were named in advance as a great attacking player's last game for their country, in men's and women's football. Great means the player had their country's record for goals or for games, or had won the Ballon d'Or or the FIFA world player award. Of the last eight, only Robbie Keane scored. Four of the eight are women's games, which makes the comparison with Messi weaker. Wayne Rooney is the closest case: England recalled him for one game after he had already retired.