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09.16.26 |
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Lionel Messi comes out of retirement for one final Argentina game

Lionel Messi comes out of retirement for one final Argentina game

  • Lionel Messi was named in Lionel Scaloni’s 28 player squad following his international retirement.

  • The legendary forward will play his official farewell match on October 6 against Benin in Buenos Aires.

  • The updated roster features emerging prospects Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono for a roster overhaul.

The Argentine Football Association has officially confirmed that Lionel Messi will return to the national team for a final series of home matches. Despite announcing his departure from international competition last month after a distinguished 21 year tenure, the 39 year old forward accepted an invitation to participate in a series of home fixtures. Head coach Lionel Scaloni included the iconic captain in his latest selection to allow domestic supporters to celebrate his contributions on home soil.

Match schedule and farewell ceremony details

Argentina is scheduled to host three international friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin as part of their upcoming calendar. The primary tribute event will take place on October 6 at a stadium venue in Buenos Aires during the fixture against Benin. While federational sources confirmed Messi’s presence for the final game, technical staff members are still assessing his physical availability for the earlier scheduled matches set to take place in Córdoba.

Tactical transition and new roster call ups

The current 28 man selection signals the beginning of an extensive roster transition for the national team program. Scaloni introduced a significantly younger core of athletes compared to recent tournament lineups, featuring promising talents such as Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, and Matías Soulé in central attacking positions. The roster changes also accommodate the departure of experienced international veterans including Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso as part of the structural overhaul.

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Historical milestones across two decades

Messi’s international career encompasses 207 official appearances since making his senior debut during a friendly encounter against Hungary in 2005. Over his two decades representing the national side, the forward led the country through multiple international tournaments, concluding his tenure as the team’s all time leading goalscorer. The upcoming home matches provide an opportunity for domestic fans to witness his final appearance in an official national team jersey.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Leo Messi (@leomessi)

Long term planning for the post Messi era

Including young defensive and attacking options such as Román Vega, Agustín Giay, Gianluca Prestianni, and Santiago Castro forms part of a strategy to build long term roster depth. With regular contributors Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina unavailable due to disciplinary suspensions, the upcoming international window offers high potential athletes direct exposure to elite international preparation alongside established figures before entering full time competition.

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