BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Lionel Messi’s international journey appears set for one final emotional chapter, with Argentina calling up its iconic captain for a farewell appearance at home despite his announcement of international retirement last month.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Tuesday that Messi had been invited to feature in a friendly against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium on October 6.
The last tango! 👋🥺
Lionel Messi makes sensational return to Argentina squad for emotional farewell match 🇦🇷🌟
Read more 🔗 https://t.co/epvD3IiWYM pic.twitter.com/6cVrilDyxA
— GOAL (@goal) September 16, 2026
AFA President Claudio Tapia said the occasion would honour the player who has led Argentina through some of the most memorable moments in its football history.
“We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our selection, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina,” Tapia said on social media.
Argentina are scheduled to play three home friendlies during the September 21–October 6 FIFA international window, marking their first matches since the World Cup.
Read Also: Lionel Messi Announces Retirement from International Football
The world champions will face Bolivia at Cordoba’s Mario Kempes Stadium on September 30 before hosting Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3. The Bolivia match will be played at 50% reduced capacity as part of FIFA sanctions following incidents during this year’s World Cup.
The AFA confirmed that Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso will feature in the October 6 farewell friendly.
“Footballers Messi, (Rodrigo) De Paul and (Giovani) Lo Celso will be in attendance to take part in the final friendly on October 6. Meanwhile, the names of the players called up from the local league will be announced on Friday,” the association said.
🚨🇦🇷 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: LEO MESSI’S FAREWELL AT THE MONUMENTAL! 🥺🐐
Lionel Messi is set to have his 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋 with the Argentina National Team on October 6, when Argentina face Benin in a friendly at the iconic Monumental. 🩵🇦🇷
One last emotional night at home for the… pic.twitter.com/iq1GtiBgfi
— Nahid dewan (@Nahiddewand7) September 16, 2026
Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada will miss the matches due to suspensions following an altercation after the World Cup final against Spain.
Read Also: Why Messi Could Not Save Argentina in World Cup Final
Argentina Squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli.
Defenders: Agustin Giay, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Juan Foyth, Facundo Medina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Roman Vega.
Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolas Paz, Franco Mastantuono.
Forwards: Matias Soule, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Gianluca Prestianni, Jose Manuel Lopez, Santiago Castro, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi.
