BUENOS AIRES — The Argentine Football Association included Lionel Messi in a 28-man squad for upcoming friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. The association scheduled the final match of this series for October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires to serve as a farewell tribute following his retirement announcement.

Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 29. The 39-year-old forward plays for Inter Miami and has recorded 125 goals in 207 appearances for the national team. His career includes eight Ballon d'Or awards and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

The squad list for the upcoming matches includes 20 players who played in the World Cup, with the addition of younger players who were not at the tournament. The association also invited Argentina's 2022 World Cup winning squad and their families to attend the match against Benin. Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.

Argentina will play Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. The team will face Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires before the final match against Benin. Lionel Scaloni is the head coach of the Argentina national team. Scaloni has indicated he will only remain as head coach until his contract ends in December.

FIFA ordered Argentina to play its next home match with stadium capacity reduced to 50 percent due to breaches of disciplinary code. The FIFA sanction relates to Argentina players holding a banner stating "The Falklands are Argentine" after defeating England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final. This restriction applies to the upcoming fixtures at the Estadio Monumental.

Messi's father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 after a lengthy illness. The retirement announcement followed three weeks later. Argentina finished as runners-up at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where they were defeated by Spain in the final.

Timeline

Lionel Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina on December 18, 2022. Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8, 2026, after a lengthy illness. Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 29, 2026.

Argentina will play Bolivia on September 30, 2026, at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. The team will play Burkina Faso on October 3, 2026, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

What's New

Additional reporting confirmed that Claudio Tapia stated, "We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on 6 October here in Argentina." Later details established that Lionel Messi's father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 after a lengthy illness. Further information identified that Lionel Messi is 39 years old and plays for Inter Miami.

The schedule confirms Argentina will play Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Why It Matters

The inclusion of Messi in the final squad marks the end of an era for the national team, as he departs with a record of 125 goals in 207 appearances. The Argentine Football Association structured the October 6 match as a formal farewell, inviting the 2022 World Cup winning squad and their families to participate in the tribute. This event concludes Messi's international career, which included a World Cup victory in 2022 and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

The matches occur under a FIFA sanction that reduces stadium capacity to 50 percent for breaches of disciplinary code related to a political banner displayed during the World Cup semi-final against England. Head coach Lionel Scaloni will also depart when his contract ends in December, signaling a broader transition for the team. The squad blends 20 World Cup veterans with younger players who were not at the tournament, indicating a shift in personnel alongside the leadership changes.