Palmeiras right-back Agustín Giay will start for Argentina in Tuesday's friendly match against Benin at the Monumental de Núñez stadium in Buenos Aires.
The fixture marks the final international appearance for team captain Lionel Messi, who announced his farewell from the national side following Argentina's second place finish at the last World Cup, where they lost the final to Spain.
Kickoff in Buenos Aires is scheduled for around 8:00 p.m. Brasília time as the home supporters gather to celebrate the career of the legendary forward.
The 22-year-old Giay enters the match during a strong period of form in Brazilian football, having earned repeated call-ups from head coach Lionel Scaloni throughout the current FIFA international window.
Giay will form part of a four-man defensive line alongside Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, and Nicolás Tagliafico, positioned ahead of goalkeeper Dibu Martínez. Palmeiras forward Flaco López will start the encounter on the substitutes' bench.
Starting role in defense
Giay previously started in both of Argentina's recent friendly matches, playing in a 4-0 victory over Bolivia and a 7-0 win against Burkina Faso. The team maintained clean sheets in both fixtures with the young defender on the pitch.
Giay joined São Paulo-based club Palmeiras from Argentine side San Lorenzo in 2024. Palmeiras compete in the top tier of Brazilian football, the Serie A, and are among South America's most successful professional clubs.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to world championship success in Qatar in 2022, has used recent FIFA international windows to integrate emerging talent like Giay alongside established international defenders such as Otamendi and Tagliafico.
Benin, known internationally as the Cheetahs, represent the Confederation of African Football in international competition.
Lionel Messi international career
Messi's final appearance brings an end to a distinguished international career spanning 208 matches for Argentina, during which the forward scored 125 goals.
His tenure with the national team included victory at the 2022 World Cup alongside two Copa América titles, before concluding with a runner-up finish against Spain in his final major tournament.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Messi has captained Argentina for over a decade. Tuesday's match takes place at the Estadio Mâs Monumental, the primary home ground of River Plate and the traditional venue for major Argentina home fixtures.
The match serves as a festive send-off for Messi in front of a home crowd in Buenos Aires, while giving young players such as Giay further opportunity to establish themselves in Scaloni's squad.
