Lionel Messi will make one final appearance for Argentina. The 39-year-old has been named in Lionel Scaloni’s 28-man squad for the upcoming international window, with his farewell match set for October 6 against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi announced his retirement from international football in late August, six weeks after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
In an emotional statement, he wrote: “It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts, deep in my soul, but I realize that the time has come”. He added: “I’ve given my all; I’ve nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place”.
AFA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the decision in a video released on Instagram. Tapia described the occasion as “unforgettable” and invited all Argentinians to watch the last tango of the best player in the world.
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Argentina will play three home friendlies during the international window. They face Bolivia on September 30 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba. They then meet Burkina Faso on October 3 in Buenos Aires, with the match potentially moving to La Bombonera. The farewell fixture against Benin follows on October 6 at the Monumental.
Messi, along with midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul, will join the squad exclusively for the Benin match. The 2022 World Cup-winning squad has also been invited to attend with their families.
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The full squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Chelsea), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid), Gerónimo Rulli (Manchester City).
Defenders: Agustín Giay (Palmeiras), Leonardo Balerdi (Roma), Cristian Romero (Atlético Madrid), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Facundo Medina (Bayer Leverkusen), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Román Vega (Zenit).
Midfielders: Valentín Barco (Chelsea), Enzo Fernández (Manchester City), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Nicolás Paz (Como), Exequiel Palacios (Ipswich Town).
Forwards: Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), Matías Soulé (Roma), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nicolás González (Juventus), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Santiago Castro (Roma), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami).
Messi leaves the international stage as Argentina’s most-capped player and record goalscorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances since his debut in 2005.
He won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, ending Argentina’s 36-year wait for the trophy. He also won two Copa América titles and the Finalissima. He is second on the all-time World Cup goals list with 21 and holds the record for most assists in the tournament’s history with 12.
The October 6 friendly will be more than a football match. It will be a celebration of a career that defined a generation. From Rosario to the world, Messi gave Argentina moments they once only dreamed of. Now, the Monumental will give him the farewell he deserves.
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