Messi Called Up for 'Farewell' Match
Argentine Football Association announces Messi's call-up for a farewell match against Benin on October 6
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Lionel Messi has been called up to the Argentina national team for a friendly match against Benin on October 6, according to an announcement by the Argentine Football Association two days ago. In late September, at age 39, Messi decided to retire from international football after more than two decades in the national squad, a career marked by passion, the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar, the 2024 Copa America triumph, and the 2024 Copa America final loss. (Note: The original text contains factual inaccuracies regarding the 2026 World Cup final, which has not yet taken place; the translation reflects the source text’s claims while preserving proper nouns.)
Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia said in a video posted on the X platform that coach Lionel Scaloni decided to call up Messi “so he can receive the farewell he truly deserves... here in Argentina.”
The match against Benin will be Argentina’s third and final fixture during the upcoming international window. On October 3, they will face Bolivia at the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba, followed by matches against Burkina Faso and Benin on October 3 and 6 at River Plate’s Monumental Stadium.
The retirement of the Inter Miami forward, formerly of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, leaves a significant void in world football, which has grown accustomed to the achievements of the Argentine captain since his international debut in 2005.
Messi previously announced his retirement from international football after losing the 2016 Copa America final, only to reverse his decision and return for the 2018 World Cup, before achieving glory four years later in Qatar.
More recently, following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain on July 19 in New York, Messi was deeply affected by the death of his father, Jorge, at age 68. This prompted him to say in mid-August that he no longer saw himself able to continue playing for “a long time.” At that time, he stated: “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, and I don’t know how to go on. I’ve only ever played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer.”
Messi has made 207 appearances for Argentina and remains the national team’s all-time top scorer with 125 goals, having enjoyed a 21-year international career.
