Lionel Messi is set to wear the Argentina shirt one more time after being called back for a special farewell match against Benin in October.
Lionel Messi called back to Argentina squad despite international retirement
Lionel Messi is set to return to the Argentina national team for one special final appearance despite announcing his international retirement last month.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami star has been included in Argentina’s plans for their upcoming home friendlies.
However, this does not mean Messi has changed his decision to retire from international football.
Instead, Argentina want to give their legendary captain the farewell they believe he deserves.
Messi called back by Argentina
Argentina will play three home friendlies during the upcoming international period.
They will face Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin.
Messi is expected to return for the final game against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The match is being planned as Messi’s final appearance for the Argentina national team.
It will give supporters in his home country another chance to see him wearing the famous No.10 shirt.
AFA president confirms the special plan
Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia confirmed that the idea was discussed with national team coach Lionel Scaloni.
They decided to invite Messi back for one final game.
Tapia said Argentina wanted their captain and national icon to receive the farewell he deserves.
According to Tapia, Messi accepted the invitation for the October 6 match.
That means the legendary forward is expected to return to the Monumental one more time.
This is not a full international comeback
There is one important detail about Messi’s return.
He is not returning to international football permanently.
Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty after the 2026 World Cup.
The match against Benin is being organised as a special farewell appearance rather than the beginning of another international campaign.
For now, there is no indication that Messi plans to reverse his retirement decision.
Argentina planning an emotional farewell
The AFA want the night to be much more than a normal friendly match.
Tapia revealed that members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad will also be invited to attend with their families.
The plan is to celebrate Messi’s extraordinary career with the national team in front of the Argentine supporters.
Tapia described the event as the final chapter of Messi’s story with Argentina.
It could become one of the most emotional nights ever seen at the Monumental.
Messi ended an incredible Argentina career
Messi’s international journey lasted more than two decades.
He experienced difficult years, painful final defeats and heavy criticism before finally leading Argentina into one of the most successful periods in their history.
The biggest moment came when Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar.
He also won the Copa América and the Finalissima during a remarkable period under Scaloni.
Those victories completely changed the story of Messi’s international career.
One more night in the No.10 shirt
Messi announced his retirement after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
At the time, it appeared that fans had already watched his final international match.
Now they will have another opportunity.
On October 6, Messi is expected to walk onto the Monumental pitch wearing Argentina’s No.10 shirt one final time.
For supporters who have followed his national-team journey for more than 20 years, it promises to be a special moment.
De Paul and Lo Celso also expected for the final game
Messi will not be the only experienced Argentina player joining the squad later in the international window.
Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are also expected to be available for the final friendly against Benin.
Their presence could make Messi’s farewell even more meaningful because both have shared some of Argentina’s greatest recent moments with him.
Argentina will use the other friendly matches to continue preparing for their future without their legendary captain.
A new era begins after Messi
Argentina now face the difficult task of moving forward without the greatest goalscorer and appearance holder in their history.
Scaloni has already started introducing younger players while keeping several experienced members of the squad.
Messi’s return against Benin will therefore be about celebrating the past rather than changing Argentina’s plans for the future.
After the farewell, the national team will continue building its next generation.
Messi gets one final goodbye
Messi had already said goodbye to international football.
But Argentina were not ready to let their captain leave without one final celebration at home.
He has now been invited back.
He is expected to face Benin on October 6.
And the Monumental is preparing to say goodbye to Lionel Messi one last time.
It will not be the start of another international chapter.
Instead, it is expected to be the final and emotional ending to one of the greatest international careers football has ever seen.
