What happened
Argentina take Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday evening as Lionel Messi plays his 208th and final international match for the country.
Why it matters
Indian fans must tune in at 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday, 7 October on ZEE5, with no live Indian TV telecast available.
Remember this
Messi says goodbye under Argentine lights; India wakes up at 4:30 AM on ZEE5 to watch.
More context & who is affected
Argentina's home friendly with Benin is also Lionel Messi's final international appearance. The visit takes place on Tuesday evening in Buenos Aires at the Estadio Monumental, which has been cleared for an expected crowd close to 85,000.
Indian viewers face an early start: the ball drops at 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday, 7 October. ZEE5 carries the live stream; no Indian broadcaster has picked up a live TV telecast.
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups. Veteran centre-back Nicolas Otamendi is also set to hang up the international boots, and several 2022 World Cup squad members are in attendance to close out the night.
- Messi's final cap
- 208th Messi's 208th and last international appearance for Argentina, following 125 goals in 207 prior outings.The GuardianIndian Express
- Kickoff IST
- 4:30 AM IST, Wed 7 Oct Ball drops at 11pm UTC on Tuesday 6 October, which lands in the early hours of Wednesday for Indian viewers.Indian ExpressThe Guardian
- Streaming in India
- ZEE5 ZEE5 holds the live-stream rights in India; no live Indian TV telecast has been announced.Indian Express
Timeline and key moments
- 6 October 2026 — Argentina host Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Messi's final cap.
- 11pm UTC / 4:30 AM IST 7 October — kickoff; ZEE5 streams the match for Indian fans.
- Post-match — Nicolas Otamendi is expected to retire from international football; De Paul and Lo Celso could see their final outings.
Football Fans · General Public
Indian fans get a pre-dawn slot: 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday 7 October.
Football Fans
ZEE5 is the sole OTT home in India; no live Indian TV telecast has been confirmed.
Football Fans
Multiple veteran Argentine internationals are wrapping international duty at the same match.
Reporting fromThe Guardian ↗Indian Express ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- The GuardianReporting
Lionel Messi farewell match live – updates and analysis from Argentina v Benin ↗
Published Oct 6, 2026 · Accessed Oct 7, 2026 - Indian ExpressReporting
Lionel Messi Last Match Date, Time, Live Streaming: When and Where To Watch Argentina vs Benin ↗
Published Oct 6, 2026 · Accessed Oct 7, 2026
Claims and linked sources
Messi's 208th and final Argentina cap comes in the Benin friendly on 6 October 2026 at the Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires.
Kickoff is 11pm UTC on Tuesday 6 October, which lands at 4:30 AM IST on Wednesday 7 October for Indian viewers.
ZEE5 is the live stream in India; no Indian broadcaster has picked up a live TV telecast.
Veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi is also expected to retire from international football after this match, alongside likely final outings for De Paul and Lo Celso.
