Benin are set for an unlikely starring role in one of football's biggest farewells, with the small West African nation preparing to face Argentina in what is reportedly Lionel Messi's final appearance for his country, according to BBC News.
While Messi's exit dominates headlines, the occasion also represents a rare moment in the spotlight for Benin's national side, who will share the pitch with the World Cup winner as Argentina bid him farewell on home soil.
The BBC report frames the fixture as a dual narrative — the emotional send-off for one of the sport's greatest-ever players, and an unexpected chance for Benin to feature in a fixture of global significance, drawing attention to a footballing nation rarely seen on such a stage.