Messi set for emotional Argentina farewell in October
Lionel Messi is set to bid an emotional farewell to Argentina in October after being named in the squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6.
The 39-year-old has been called up for what's expected to be Messis final appearance for the national team after Messi decided to retire from international football last month.
Messi announced his retirement in August after a two‑decade international career in which Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and Copa America wins in 2021 and 2024.
“We have decided to invite the player in the world an icon of the national team and its captain, Lionel Andres Messi so that Messi can receive the farewell Messi deserves on October 6 in Argentina " Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia said.
The farewell match against Benin will take place at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires and the venue can hold about 85,000 supporters.
Tapia has also invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup‑winning squad to join Messi for what Tapia described as an "occasion.
Argentina will first face Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30 before taking on Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3. The three‑match friendly schedule comes after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
Messi has been included for the game against Benin and is expected to make his 208th and final appearance for Argentina. Messi is already the country’s all‑time scorer having found the net 125 times for the national team.
Messi’s international future had already been uncertain.
Following the death of his father, Jorge month Messi admitted that Messi had "serious doubts" about continuing to play football in any capacity "for much longer."
“It is a decision that hurts Messi deeply and still leaves a pain in Messi’s soul but Messi understands that this is the time " Messi said when announcing the end of Messi’s Argentina career.
The eight‑time Ballon d’Or winner will remain committed to club football with Messi’s contract at Major League Soccer side Inter Miami running until the end of the 2028 season.
Meanwhile Argentina is also dealing with sanctions imposed by FIFA.
Month FIFA ordered Argentina to play their next home fixture at 50 percent capacity after the federation found Argentina in breach of disciplinary regulations over the use of a sporting event to stage unsporting protests.
The controversy followed Argentina’s 2‑1 victory over England in a World Cup semi‑final in July, when several players raised a banner stating: "The Falkland Islands belong to Argentina."
The upcoming friendlies are also expected to count towards suspensions handed down following incidents after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10‑match ban while defender Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven matches and Thiago Almada for one.
The focus in October is expected to be firmly, on Messi as Argentina prepare to give Messi’s legendary captain the farewell Messi’s extraordinary international career deserves.
