09/15/26 05:11:00
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09/15 17:10 CDT Lionel Messi added to Argentina's roster for Oct. 6 friendly
that team says will be farewell match
Lionel Messi added to Argentina's roster for Oct. 6 friendly that team says
will be farewell match
BUENOS AIRES (AP) --- Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina
after all.
Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami
star was included Tuesday in Lionel Scaloni's 28-man Argentina squad ahead of
three home friendlies.
Messi has yet to confirm whether he will join the team, but the head of
Argentina soccer said the icon accepted the invitation for the Oct. 6 game
against Benin in Buenos Aires for what will be a grand finale.
"After a conversation with senior national team coach Lionel Scaloni, we
decided to invite the best player in the world --- our icon, our captain Lionel
Messi --- so that he can have the farewell he deserves on October 6," said
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association.
Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and helped the Albiceleste
reach the final at the 2026 edition.
"Furthermore, having received Lionel's acceptance," Tapia said, "we want to
invite all the Qatar World Cup champions to join him, along with their
families, to witness the ?last tango' of the world's best player."
Earlier, Argentina had announced it would face Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin
in its first batch of friendly matches following Messi's retirement from the
national team after a 21-year spell.
The country's soccer association said the home match against Bolivia will take
place Sept. 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Crdoba.
The Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires will host the friendlies against Burkina
Faso and Benin on Oct. 3 and Oct. 6, respectively.
Focus also turns to the future of Scaloni, whose contract expires in December.
Scaloni had hinted he might step down following the 1--0 loss to Spain in the
World Cup final on July 19.
Three Argentina players --- Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada
--- were recently handed bans by FIFA for a scuffle after losing the the World
Cup final. Paredes received a 10-match ban.
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