Report: Despite retirement, Lionel Messi could one day prove himself as captain in front of the home fans in Argentina

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup soccer quarterfinal against the Netherlands in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File) Lionel Messi may have played his last competitive game for Argentina, but reports suggest there could be one more chapter to his farewell to the national team. Messi confirmed his retirement from international football in a lengthy post on social media, with the 2026 World Cup final against Spain expected to mark the end of his Argentina career. Still, Argentina could hold a special farewell match for their captain during the next FIFA international window. Nothing is confirmed and the Argentine Football Association would first need to find out if Messi himself wants to attend, but the possibility is already being discussed. If that happens, it could give Argentina fans the chance to say goodbye to their greatest player on home soil.

Argentina could host Messi’s farewell match

According to reports from Argentina, the AFA is considering holding a farewell performance for Messi during the next FIFA international window, which runs from September 21 to October 6.The federation is expected to host two or three friendlies, with some reports suggesting Argentina could play as many as three or four during this window. Opponents, dates and venues have not yet been confirmed.Argentinian journalist Pablo Gravellone of Todo Noticias reported that all signs point to Messi playing his final match for Argentina at home.A potential venue is the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where Argentina regularly play their home games. There is also the possibility that the national team will take the opportunity to go to Rosario, Messi’s hometown, although this is considered less likely.Maximiliano Grillo of TNT Sports Argentina reported: “Argentina is working to organize two or three friendlies in September. The matches are expected to be played in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and/or Rosario, with the opponents yet to be confirmed.”That’s still a lot to decide.There is currently no confirmed opponent, match date or venue for Messi’s farewell and the idea remains at the reporting stage rather than an official AFA announcement.Most importantly, Argentina will first need to speak to Messi and decide if he is willing to return for this opportunity.

Messi’s World Cup farewell may not have been his last

The possibility of another appearance comes just days after Messi announced his international retirement.On August 31, the Inter Miami star confirmed that he had decided to end his Argentina career after a remarkable 207-game international career that saw him score 125 goals and win six major titles, most notably the 2022 World Cup.His decision followed Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, which appeared to have brought his international career to an end.So a farewell match would be very different from another competitive match. Argentina would not try to give Messi another tournament run; instead, the occasion would allow player and fans to formally close a chapter that ended in very different circumstances in the World Cup final.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup soccer final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

It would also allow Messi to say goodbye in front of Argentina’s supporters, rather than end his international career thousands of kilometers from home.Messi remains an active professional footballer at club level with Inter Miami and his contract is being extended after this international retirement. That said, there is no immediate issue regarding his fitness or ability to play another match should he go along with the idea.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (L) and defender Maximiliano Falcon (37) celebrate after midfielder Casemiro (5) scored the team’s first goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The proposed farewell would also not resemble the traditional retirement exhibition where former teammates and friends gather for a celebratory game. Instead, reports point to Messi appearing for Argentina in an official international friendly and possibly donning the captain’s armband for the last time.However, for now it depends on the discussions that are yet to take place.Read more: Argentina ready to hand Messi’s iconic No.10 shirt to 21-year-old star if Scaloni stays

Argentina have yet to decide who will replace Messi as captain

While the possibility of one finals appearance for Messi is debated, Argentina must also begin to prepare for life without the captain who led them through one of the most successful periods in their history.Cristian Romero appears to be one of the main candidates to inherit the armband. The defender has led Argentina on several occasions when Messi has been unavailable and is seen as the team’s natural leader.It’s not the only option.Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez and Enzo Fernández were also mentioned as potential successors due to their experience, importance to the team and status in the dressing room.However, there is another complication.Nicolas Otamendi, who usually took the captain’s armband whenever Messi was not in the starting eleven, had already announced his retirement from international football immediately after the World Cup.This means that Argentina enters its next era without the usual succession option that existed behind Messi.So a farewell match could provide an unusual moment for transition. Messi could potentially lead Argentina one last time before the armband officially passes to a new generation.But until the AFA confirms its plans, even that remains uncertain.And one more question awaits the next generation: who wears number 10 after Messi?Reports suggest that Nico Paz could be the preferred choice, but only if Lionel Scaloni renews his contract as Argentina head coach. That decision is expected to be discussed in the coming months, meaning Messi’s eventual successor also remains tied to what happens to Scaloni.