Despite retirement, Lionel Messi may bid farewell to Argentina: Report

Lionel Messi could get one last chance to pull on the Argentina shirt in front of his home fans despite announcing his retirement from international football. Messi’s name is reportedly on Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary squad list for Argentina’s upcoming international friendlies, according to a report from ESPN Argentina. The final 26-man squad is yet to be announced.

The development comes after months of speculation over whether Messi would continue with the national team until Copa America 2028. The Argentina captain finally put those doubts to rest by confirming that his international career was coming to an end.

His reported inclusion now appears to have a different purpose: to give the Argentine icon the farewell he deserves on home soil.

Messi has already left an indelible mark on Argentina’s history, appearing in three World Cup finals in four editions of the tournament. After finally lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022, he cemented his status as one of the greatest players in the country’s history.

The Argentine Football Association confirmed three friendlies for the upcoming international window on Tuesday. Argentina open the match against Bolivia on Wednesday 30 September at the Estadio Maria Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.

Scaloni’s team will then return to Buenos Aires for two games at the Monumental. They face Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin three days later on October 6.

What remains uncertain is exactly how much Messi will play. He could play one of the games, appear briefly in multiple games, or potentially participate in all three. However, his presence on the provisional list is more indicative of Argentina preparing for a farewell than the start of another international chapter.

The choice of venue could also prove significant if Messi starts.

The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium holds around 57,000 spectators, potentially giving fans outside of Buenos Aires the last chance to see their hero represent Argentina. Monumental could provide an even grander setting. The iconic home of River Plate has a capacity of 85,018 and is the largest stadium in South America.

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Published on:

16 Sep 2026 01:30 IST