Lionel Messi was on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) named in Argentina’s squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6, a match that will serve as his farewell appearance after announcing his international retirement last month.

The 39-year-old said in August he was retiring from Argentina duty after a two-decade international career that included winning the 2022 World Cup and Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024.

“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6 here in Argentina,” said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.

The match against Benin will take place at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which can accommodate 85,000 spectators.

Tapia also invited all of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners to join Messi for what he said would be an “unforgettable” occasion.

Argentina begin a series of three friendlies against Bolivia on September 30 in Cordoba — their first match since losing the World Cup final to Spain — before taking on Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.

Messi has been included in the squad for the third match against Benin, when he is expected to make his 208th and final appearance for the national team. He is Argentina’s all-time record scorer with 125 goals.

Following the death of his father Jorge last month, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi said when he called time on his Argentina career.

His contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.

Last month FIFA ordered Argentina to play their next home match with capacity reduced to 50 percent for breaches of its disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for making demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.

After Argentina beat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semi-final in July, several players held up a banner saying: “The Falklands are Argentine”.

The friendlies are also expected to count towards suspensions handed down following incidents after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-match ban, while defender Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven games and Thiago Almada for one.

Lionel Messi on Monday (August 31, 2026) announced his retirement from international football, leading to an outpouring of tribute and farewell messages to the football legend who is often called the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

The 39-year-old Argentina footballer, who captained his team to World Cup glory in 2022 and ‌another final in 2026, made the announcement on Instagram, describing it as “a decision that hurts the soul.”

Reactions to Messi’s retirement

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and fellow Argentinian players are among those who have dedicated glowing tributes to the sporting icon. Here’s a look at the reactions to Messi’s retirement:

FIFA president Gianni Infantino thanked Messi for bringing so much joy to millions of football fans. “You are retiring from international football as a FIFA World Cup champion and as one of the greatest players our sport has ever seen. I wish you all the best,” he said.

Former Argentina forward Angel ⁠Di Maria too paid a heartfelt tribute. “It’s so hard to read that you’re retiring; we won’t be seeing you wearing the sky blue and white colours anymore. All I know is that I was born in the right century to be able to witness you play, ⁠relish your performances and, on top of that, share all those years with you in the national team. To see you fulfill your dreams, and your greatest dream of all – to become world champion. Thank you so much for everything; you’re a legend and the greatest of all time.”

Argentina midfielder Enzo ⁠Fernandez also thanked Messi, while adding that it would be to imagine the next training camp without the captain. “Stepping onto the pitch and not seeing you up front, wearing the number 10. I’ve spent so many years seeing you there that it seems impossible to imagine it any other way.

“How lucky I was, Leo… thank you for treating me the way you did, for everything you taught me and for letting me be part of your story. We’re going to miss you so much, captain.”

Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cups: A visual story of his goals

The Argentine Football ⁠Association posted ​on social media: “Thank you for giving us the most beautiful journey of our ​lives. Your legacy and professionalism will remain forever etched in our hearts. Thank you, Captain. We love you.”

Not just the players, Argentina president Javier Milei too joined in paying tribute to Messi. He shared a photo of the soccer legend on Instagram with the caption ‘Muchas gracias HOMBRE IMPOSIBLE’ (which roughly translates to Thank you very much impossible man).

Argentine F1 driver Franco Colapinto too thanked the football legend, while also sharing photos with Messi.

Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo also put out an emotional post on Instagram, stating that she is proud of his journey and everything he has overcome. Antonela added, “What a privilege it has been to experience all of this by your side.”

One of the most popular faces of the game globally, Messi commands a legion of fans even in India and would be dearly missed. Social media is flooded with emotional comments by fans who have been sharing pictures and videos of the legend’s triumphant moments from the field.

Messi’s legendary football journey

The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves as a World Cup winner and twice Copa America champion. Messi stepped out of Diego Maradona’s immense shadow to create an Argentine legacy entirely his own.

After years of disappointment with Argentina, including defeat in the 2014 World Cup final and successive Copa America finals, Messi won his first major international trophy at the 2021 Copa America.

Messi then led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha. The ⁠former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward, who now plays for Inter Miami, added another Copa America title in 2024. But his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, scored 125 goals from 207 appearances for his country.

(With inputs from Reuters)

In football’s hallowed legacy of individual brilliance shaping collective achievement, the pantheon was always vested with a duopoly: Brazil’s Pele and Argentina’s Diego Maradona.

Carving his own niche

However, just like the suave manner in which he befuddled defenders, Lionel Messi also carved his own niche with these giants. Greatness in the beautiful game can never be discussed without mentioning the magician that Messi has always been.

As he announced his international retirement, Messi leaves a global terrain that he adorned with such aura. He was driven by the philosophy that if there was a goal to be scored, he would be the man to do it or at least grant the final assist.

However, Pele and Maradona did not face the extreme scrutiny that shadowed Messi in an age of intrusive social media. For years, the ‘club over country’ debate was often used to denigrate Messi.

His exemplary stint with FC Barcelona was used as a crutch to run him down while using his tenure with Argentina as a contrast. Messi had to find his light while dealing with Maradona’s massive shadow.

Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cups: A visual story

Sporting greats thrive on prodigal talent, self-belief, adrenaline and most importantly the applause from the fans. Messi often searched for that last bit. It did not matter if he was the most-feted footballer ever in the history of the sport, he had to win the World Cup.

He precisely did that at Doha in 2022, marshalling his unit to the ultimate glory, one that Maradona last secured in 1986. While the rest of the world loved him, to gain that emotion from his followers back home was special for Messi. Finally, Maradona’s shadow was cast aside as Messi glowed in his own luminescence.

He wanted an encore this year but Spain had the last word in the World Cup final. The Maradona replication was again at play as Argentina was runner-up in 1990.

To see Messi on the turf is to be aware of magic-realism, the kind that writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez dished out in their epics. Messi offered hope, hoodwinked rivals with speed and pauses, and sold a dummy with his feint of feet.

Statistics would reveal 125 goals from 207 appearances for Argentina, but he was more than just numbers. To see him at his best, was to be aware of an incandescent legend. Messi’s glorious position in football is set in stone. He will be sorely missed.

Lionel Messi said on Monday (August 31, 2026) he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July.

“It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram.

“I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by winning the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 final.

Lionel Messi at FIFA World Cups: A visual story

Following the death of his father Jorge on August 8, 2026, Messi had said he had “serious doubts” about continuing to play football of any sort for “much longer”.

Messi’s contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.