Messi named in Argentina squad for farewell friendly against Benin

Lionel Messi will have the opportunity for one last international outing after all. Despite announcing his retirement from Argentina's national team, the Inter Miami forward was named Tuesday in coach Lionel Scaloni's 28-man squad for three home friendlies, with the Benin match in Buenos Aires set as his potential farewell fixture.

Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia said the decision came after discussions with Scaloni, with the federation seeking to give the iconic forward a proper send-off befitting his legacy. "After a conversation with senior national team coach Lionel Scaloni, we decided to invite the best player in the world—our icon, our captain Lionel Messi—so that he can have the farewell he deserves on October 6," Tapia said. While Messi is yet to formally confirm his participation, Tapia indicated the 39-year-old has accepted the invitation.

Messi's storied international career culminated with Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar, where he finally achieved his long-elusive global prize. The talismanic playmaker has been one of the defining figures in modern football, leading the Albiceleste through multiple tournament campaigns and establishing himself as a national treasure.