Leverkusen defender Medina features for Argentina in Lionel Messi’s farewell game
| Francois Nel/Getty Images |
Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi finished his glittering La Albiceleste career with a goal and two assists.
Lionel Scaloni included Bayer Leverkusen duo Facundo Medina and Ezequiel Fernandez in the squad for the season’s first international break, but the latter has only played the first game.
Before he completed his move to Leverkusen, Medina played alongside the 39-year-old football icon during the 2026 World Cup as Argentina suffered an extra-time defeat to Spain in the final, which would be remembered as Messi’s last competitive appearance in international football.
Ezequiel Fernandez, who was previously part of the Olympic team, made his senior national team debut in the 4-0 win over Bolivia last week. However, he wasn't included in matchday squads against Madagascar and Benin.
Messi was involved in all three goals of the game in the second-half. He provided assists to long-time teammate Nicolas Otamendi and potentially the next number #10 Nico Paz before scoring the third himself from the penalty spot. Medina replaced Otamendi five minutes after Argentina's first goal.
Former Bundesliga midfielders Nico Gonzalez (Stuttgart) and Exquiel Palacios (Leverkusen) also featured off the bench for Scaloni's side as Argentina will now start a new chapter without their most decorated player.
Augsburg striker Steve Mounie is absent from Benin’s squad due to an injury. The 32-year-old is yet to feature for the Bavarians since returning from his loan at Turkish side Alanyaspor.
