Messi returns to Argentina squad for final farewell against Benin - Punch Newspapers
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi has tears in his eyes as celebrates winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for a farewell match that will mark the end of his international career. The Argentina captain is set to feature against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia confirmed on Tuesday. Tapia said the match would give Messi the opportunity to receive a deserved farewell in front of the home fans. “We invited the best player in the world to play, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina,” Tapia said in a video on Instagram. The match will come after Argentina’s fixtures against Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Messi, who is 39, had previously indicated that he would bring his international career to an end. Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team on August 31, bringing an end to a more than two-decade international career. Argentina to begin post-Messi era with Bolivia friendly MLS: Messi scores as Inter Miami draw Nashville 2-2 Madrid loanee Mastantuono breaks Messi’s record with Serie A hat-trick His decision came after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with the defeat ending their bid to retain the title they won in Qatar in 2022. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward leaves international football as Argentina’s captain and one of the most decorated players in the country’s history. Messi helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, after previously losing the 2014 World Cup final and Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016. Argentina’s farewell plans will see the team play three friendlies during the September-October international window. They will face Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba and Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Monumental before meeting Benin at the same stadium three days later. The October 6 fixture is therefore expected to provide Messi with his final opportunity to wear the Argentina shirt in front of his home supporters and formally bring his international career to a close. Okiki Adeduyite Okiki is a journalist with over seven years experience covering politics, foreign news, society, entertainment and the film industry.
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