Messi called up by Argentina for farewell match against Benin

Lionel Messi. AFP or licensors

The Argentina captain is set to make his final appearance for the national team on October 6 at River Plate, following his decision to retire from international football.

On 16/09/2026 at 10h00

Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni for the national team’s upcoming friendlies, including a farewell match against Benin on October 6 at River Plate.

The Argentine legend is part of a 28-player squad announced by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for three friendlies. Argentina will face Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba before taking on Burkina Faso and Benin on October 3 and 6 respectively at River Plate.

“We made the decision, together with coach Lionel Scaloni, to invite the greatest player in the world (...), our captain, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 (in the match against Benin, editor’s note), here in Argentina,” AFA president Claudio Tapia said in a video released alongside the squad announcement.

By Le360 (with AFP)
On 16/09/2026 at 10h00