Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina to make a farewell appearance in a home friendly against Benin on October 6. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Tuesday that the forward was included in the squad for the match in Buenos Aires.
The appearance follows Messi's announcement in August that he was retiring from Argentina duty. The 39-year-old is stepping away after a two-decade international career that included winning the 2022 World Cup.
AFA president Claudio Tapia shared on social media that the organization invited the captain and the best player in the world to have a deserved farewell. The game is one of three home friendlies Argentina will play during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6, which serve as the team's first matches since the World Cup.