Messi Announces Retirement, Then Returns to the Argentina Squad!

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is set to make another appearance for the national team despite announcing his international retirement on August 31. The Argentine Football Association has included Messi in the squad for the friendly against Benin on October 6. The match will be played at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires and has been designated as Messi’s farewell appearance for Argentina. AFA president Claudio Tapia said the decision was taken after discussions with coach Lionel Scaloni to give the captain the farewell he deserves.

Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and has scored 125 goals in 207 international appearances. He led Argentina to Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain, Messi announced his international retirement on August 31. However, he has been invited to play in the October 6 friendly against Benin, which is expected to mark his final appearance for the national team. He will not feature in Argentina’s matches against Bolivia on September 30 or Burkina Faso on October 3.