Argentina vs. Benin—International Friendly: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Argentina welcomes an unfamiliar foe to Buenos Aires. | Visionhaus/Getty Images (Argentina), Benin National Soccer Team Website (Benin)Argentina bids an emotional farewell to its legendary talisman Lionel Messi on Tuesday, who will make his 208th and final international appearance in a friendly with Benin.

Argentina bids an emotional farewell to its legendary talisman Lionel Messi on Tuesday, who will make his 208th and final international appearance in a friendly with Benin.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his international retirement following a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Spain, which marked his last competitive appearance for La Albiceleste. But there’s still time for one final appearance at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where supporters will flock to pay tribute to the greatest player of all time.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his international retirement following a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Spain, which marked his last competitive appearance for La Albiceleste. But there’s still time for one final appearance at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where supporters will flock to pay tribute to the greatest player of all time.

Messi will hope to add to the 125 total goals he has scored for the national team in a first-ever fixture with Benin, and his teammates have been exceptionally clinical in his absence over the current international break. They have fired 11 goals past Bolivia and Burkina Faso in emphatic friendly wins, but will now focus on supplying their iconic captain one last time.

Messi will hope to add to the 125 total goals he has scored for the national team in a first-ever fixture with Benin, and his teammates have been exceptionally clinical in his absence over the current international break. They have fired 11 goals past Bolivia and Burkina Faso in emphatic friendly wins, but will now focus on supplying their iconic captain one last time.

The Cheetahs will be eager to spoil the party, no matter how unlikely that appears to be. They have won two of their last three matches, with their draw with Burkina Faso—who Argentina just beat 7–0—sandwiched in between wins over Guinea and Mauritania.

The Cheetahs will be eager to spoil the party, no matter how unlikely that appears to be. They have won two of their last three matches, with their draw with Burkina Faso—who Argentina just beat 7–0—sandwiched in between wins over Guinea and Mauritania.

Messi will take center stage during his final outing. | Image Photo Agency/Getty Images“I’m forever grateful for being part of Messi’s wonderful story in the Argentina national team,” Lionel Scaloni enthused ahead of the Benin match, and he has played a crucial part in an extraordinary international career.

“I’m forever grateful for being part of Messi’s wonderful story in the Argentina national team,” Lionel Scaloni enthused ahead of the Benin match, and he has played a crucial part in an extraordinary international career.

Messi walks away from the national team having won the World Cup and two Copa América titles under Scaloni’s guidance, helping him match Diego Maradona’s legacy for La Albiceleste.

Messi walks away from the national team having won the World Cup and two Copa América titles under Scaloni’s guidance, helping him match Diego Maradona’s legacy for La Albiceleste.

There are bound to be tears from Messi, his teammates and supporters inside the Estadio Monumental as the curtain closes, but it should be a winning send-off for the 39-year-old against FIFA’s 93rd-ranked national team.

There are bound to be tears from Messi, his teammates and supporters inside the Estadio Monumental as the curtain closes, but it should be a winning send-off for the 39-year-old against FIFA’s 93rd-ranked national team.

All eyes will be on Messi. | FotMobOf course, Messi will lead the line during his final bow, likely partnered by Julian Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez in the front two.

Of course, Messi will lead the line during his final bow, likely partnered by Julian Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez in the front two.

Nicolás Otamendi will also make his final appearance for Argentina, tapping out at 140 caps for the senior side. He has traveled to his homeland specifically for this fixture.

Nicolás Otamendi will also make his final appearance for Argentina, tapping out at 140 caps for the senior side. He has traveled to his homeland specifically for this fixture.

Nicolás Tagliafico and Giovani Lo Celso are both doubts to feature against Benin through slight knocks.

Nicolás Tagliafico and Giovani Lo Celso are both doubts to feature against Benin through slight knocks.

Scaloni is unlikely to make too many alterations from the team that scored seven last time out, especially given he was able to withdraw a host of players at halftime and throughout the second half.

Scaloni is unlikely to make too many alterations from the team that scored seven last time out, especially given he was able to withdraw a host of players at halftime and throughout the second half.

Emiliano Martínez, Lisandro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul are among the big names likely to feature.

Emiliano Martínez, Lisandro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul are among the big names likely to feature.

Argentina predicted lineup vs. Benin (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Giay, Otamendi, Li. Martínez, Medina; De Paul, En. Fernández, Mac Allister, Paz; Messi, La. Martínez.

Argentina predicted lineup vs. Benin (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Giay, Otamendi, Li. Martínez, Medina; De Paul, En. Fernández, Mac Allister, Paz; Messi, La. Martínez.

Benin could name the same XI that beat Mauritania. | FotMobBenin boss Gernot Rohr is without Dokou Dodo and Rachid Moumini for the friendly, but 21-year-old striker Sahid Ngobi has been called up and could earn some minutes.

Benin boss Gernot Rohr is without Dokou Dodo and Rachid Moumini for the friendly, but 21-year-old striker Sahid Ngobi has been called up and could earn some minutes.

Lorient forward Aiyegun Tosin will be tasked with unnerving the Argentina defense after recently scoring his fourth international goal.

Lorient forward Aiyegun Tosin will be tasked with unnerving the Argentina defense after recently scoring his fourth international goal.

At the other end of the field, goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou will have the unenviable assignment of trying to thwart Messi and Co. He does enter the match in confident mood, though, after saving a penalty in the win over Mauritania.

At the other end of the field, goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou will have the unenviable assignment of trying to thwart Messi and Co. He does enter the match in confident mood, though, after saving a penalty in the win over Mauritania.

Benin predicted lineup vs. Argentina (4-2-3-1): Dandjinou; Azongnitode, Roche, Tijani, T. Ouorou; D’Almeida, Imourane; Y. Ouorou, Olaïtan, Aloko; Tosin.

Benin predicted lineup vs. Argentina (4-2-3-1): Dandjinou; Azongnitode, Roche, Tijani, T. Ouorou; D’Almeida, Imourane; Y. Ouorou, Olaïtan, Aloko; Tosin.

Published 1 hour ago | Modified 1 hour agoEWAN ROSS-MURRAYEwan Ross-Murray is a soccer writer for SI FC. He boasts years of experience following his First Class Honours in Journalism from the University of Leicester, producing a variety of content from match reports and news pieces to more extensive features on an array of topics. With Scottish, Welsh and English heritage, Ross-Murray’s soccer influences are far-ranging, but his primary focus is on the Premier League and Champions League.