Argentina are preparing to give Lionel Messi a farewell appearance on home soil after the former captain ended his international career last month.
The Argentine Football Association has invited Messi to play against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6.
AFA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the invitation on Tuesday.
“We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our selection, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina,” Tapia said on social media.
Messi announced his retirement from international football last month following the 2026 World Cup. The October match could now give the Argentina fans a final chance to see him play for the national team at home.
Argentina will play three home friendlies during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6. They will first face Bolivia at the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba on September 30.
Argentina will then return to Buenos Aires to play Burkina Faso on October 3 before facing Benin three days later. The match against Bolivia will take place with the stadium capacity reduced by 50 percent. The punishment is part of FIFA sanctions linked to incidents during the World Cup.
Argentina will also be without several players because of suspensions.
Leandro Paredes received a 10 match ban, while Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven matches. Thiago Almada must serve a one match suspension.
The punishments followed an altercation during Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain in July.
Messi has been invited to return for one final appearance, but his participation in the Benin friendly has not yet been confirmed.
