SURPRISE: PSL keeper lined up for Messi farewell

Global superstar Lionel Messi is now lined up to play his last match for Argentina in a match that will come with significance in the Betway Premiership.

Though Messi recently announced his retirement from international football, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia has convinced the 39-year-old to come home for his farewell on October 6.

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That final match will be against Benin on October 6 at the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires – the home of River Plate.

Dandjinou the first choice

The West Africans have Marcel Dandjinou as their first choice, and he plays his club football for Kruger United in the Betway Premiership.

Dandjinou has played in four of the six matches played by Kruger this season, enjoying the edge ahead of Fiacre Ntwari, who has played twice.

He made his top-league debut against Kaizer Chiefs in the first match of the season five-and-a-half years since he arrived in South Africa from Benin.

Dandjinou spent four-and-a-half years at modest JDR Stars in the Motsepe Championship after his agent Michel Sinha influenced his move before joining Kruger just over a year ago as they began their promotion season.

He was the first choice during that campaign and has maintained his place as Benin’s first choice under Gernot Rohr, who has handed him 23 caps in the last three years and is expected to be in the squad for the match against La Albiceleste.

Dandjinou was the only keeper from the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the AFCON finals earlier this year.

He was also Kruger’s first-ever representative at the tournament, where he played three games, including the defeats to Senegal and Egypt.

Messi's last dance

The 28-year-old was in goals in Benin’s last match against Bafana Bafana during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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Messi has already been named in the Argentina squad for the forthcoming FIFA dates, which will also include other friendly matches against Bolivia (September 30) and Burkina Faso (October 3).

AFA has confirmed that the Inter Miami star will only play against Benin as he ends a senior international career that has run since 2005. 

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Argentina Benin Betway Premiership Kruger United Lionel Messi