Lionel Messi has been called up to the Argentina squad for the friendly clash against Benin, which will be played on October 6. Messi recently lost the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain, and he revealed in his retirement post that he decided to retire two days after the final loss.
La Pulga, as he is renownedly known, also recently lost his father, Jorge Messi. Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, two Copa America titles, and the Finalissima. Messi finished his legendary international career for Argentina with 125 goals in 207 appearances. Messi is the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.
However, the legendary player will play his swansong against Benin.
Argentina federation president Claudio Tapia confirmed the Oct. 6 match will be dedicated to Messi, as the team will look to give a befitting farewell to their most decorated player.
“To all Argentina fans, I want to tell you that after a conversation with the national team head coach, Lionel Scaloni, we have decided to invite the best player in the world, our national team emblem, our captain, Lionel Andrés Messi, so he can have the goodbye he truly deserves on Oct. 6 here in Argentina,” Tapia said in a video statement.
“At the same time, after Lionel accepted the invitation we decided to invite all the 2022 World Cup winners that played with him in Qatar so they can, with their families, join him in this match that will be unforgettable. We invite all Argentinians and national team fans to watch ‘the last tango’ of the best player in the world.”
Argentina is set to face Bolivia on Sept. 30 and Burkina Faso on Oct. 3 before hosting Benin at the Monumental.
