Messi included in Argentina squad for reported international farewell

Lionel Messi could make one final appearance for Argentina despite announcing the end of his international career, with reports suggesting he has been included in Lionel Scaloni’s provisional squad for the next round of friendlies.

Federico Bueno, an ESPN journalist who follows the Argentina national team, reported that Messi’s name is among those submitted by Scaloni ahead of the upcoming international break. The official 26-man squad is yet to be announced.

Messi had previously been linked with continuing through Copa America 2028, but his formal decision to retire from international football appeared to settle the question of his future with Argentina.

His reported inclusion is understood to be intended to give him the chance to say goodbye to supporters in an official match on home soil. Argentine fans have witnessed one of the most successful periods in the national team’s history, including three World Cup final appearances across four editions of the tournament.

The Argentine Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that the team will play three friendlies during the next international break.

Argentina will begin against Bolivia on Wednesday, 30 September, at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba. The team will then return to Buenos Aires to face Burkina Faso on Saturday, 3 October, followed by a meeting with Benin on Tuesday, 6 October.

Both matches in the capital are scheduled to take place at the Monumental.

It remains unclear whether Messi would feature in all three games, play only once or make brief appearances across more than one fixture. His presence in the provisional squad appears primarily connected to the opportunity for a farewell in front of Argentina supporters.

The choice of venues appears suited to the expected demand should the 39-year-old take part.

The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium can hold about 57,000 spectators, giving supporters outside the capital the opportunity to watch Messi in what could be his final Argentina appearance.

The Monumental, the home of River Plate in Buenos Aires, has a capacity of 85,018 and is the largest stadium in South America. It could therefore provide the setting for a major farewell to one of the greatest players in Argentina’s history.