Lionel Messi has been called up by the Argentina national team for a final series of home friendlies in Buenos Aires and Cordoba, according to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), giving the iconic captain a chance to bid farewell to the Albiceleste faithful following his international retirement last month.
An Unexpected Call-Up for a Final Farewell
Despite stepping away from international competition after leading Argentina to the final in July, Lionel Messi features in a 28-player squad announced by the AFA. According to AFA President Claudio Tapia, the decision to invite the Inter Miami forward was made in consultation with manager Lionel Scaloni to ensure the nation’s most decorated player receives a proper send-off on home soil.
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“We have invited the best player in the world, the icon of our selection, our captain Lionel Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina,” Claudio Tapia stated in a video released alongside the squad list. The matches fall within the official FIFA international window running from September 21 to October 6.
Three Fixtures on the Autumn Schedule
During the upcoming international break, Argentina will play three friendly matches at home venues. The sequence begins against Bolivia on September 30 in Cordoba, followed by a fixture against Burkina Faso on October 3 in Buenos Aires. The concluding match takes place on October 6 against Benin at River Plate’s stadium in Buenos Aires, which is designated as Messi’s official jubilee appearance.
These fixtures mark the national team’s return to home pitches following a demanding tournament calendar. The match against Benin represents the final time the forward is expected to wear the striped blue-and-white jersey.
Club Commitments and Individual Honors
The timing of the international call-up aligns with a busy autumn for the current Major League Soccer player. Beyond his commitments in North America, Messi remains in contention for global individual accolades. Reports confirm he is among the 30 nominees named for the Ballon d’Or, with the winner scheduled to be announced on October 26 in London.
The AFA has urged fans to monitor official federation channels for ticketing and broadcast updates as the autumn window approaches.
