Messi summoned for farewell appearance before fans in friendly matches

Lionel Messi has been called up to the Argentina national football team for a friendly match against Benin on October 6, according to an announcement by the country’s football federation on Tuesday.

Messi decided in late September to retire from international football at the age of 39, after more than two decades of a passionate career that included winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, losing the 2026 final in North America, and winning the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.