Benin prepare for 'historic' role in Messi's Argentina farewell

A tiny west African nation, Benin will be the final opponent of Lionel Messi's international career when they face Argentina in Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental.

Lionel Messi will earn his 208th cap for Argentina in the friendly against Benin

Twenty-one years after Lionel Messi helped Argentina beat Nigeria in the Under-20 World Cup final, another African side will be on the pitch for the final match of his international career.

Benin face Argentina at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in a farewell match for the 39-year-old.

For Benin assistant coach Tunde Adelakun, there is a neat symmetry to the occasion.

"Africa has been at the heart of Messi's remarkable career," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"I was physically there when they beat Nigeria in the final, where he was the most valuable player in that tournament.

"It's an absolute pleasure that, when he is drawing the curtain on his international career, Benin will be part of that."

Source: BBC Sport Africa