Messi recalled to Argentina squad two weeks after announcing international retirement

Lionel Messi will wear the Albiceleste shirt one last time on October 6 against Benin at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) made his call-up official on Tuesday, September 15, just over two weeks after the striker announced the end of his international career.

At 39 years old, Messi made his retirement public on August 31 in an emotional message: “This is a decision that still hurts deep inside me, but I understand that this is the moment.” His decision came in a particularly painful context: Argentina’s defeat in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, and the recent loss of his father and agent, Jorge Messi.

AFA president Claudio Tapia and head coach Lionel Scaloni wanted to give their captain a farewell worthy of his legend. Argentina will first play two matches without him — against Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba, then against Burkina Faso on October 3 — before Messi, accompanied by Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, joins the squad for the final friendly match.

The 85,000 spectators at River Plate’s Monumental will be present for this farewell evening. The AFA has also invited all 2022 World Cup champions and their families to participate in the event.

Messi leaves the national team with 207 caps and 125 goals, an unmatched record in Argentine football history. He leaves behind a World Cup title (2022) and two Copa América titles (2021, 2024), as well as the status of all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.