In a surprising move, Lionel Scaloni has called up Lionel Messi for Argentina’s upcoming friendly match against Benin on October 6 at River Plate’s Monumental Stadium. This selection comes shortly after Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31, providing the legendary forward with a final opportunity to bid farewell to Argentine fans on home soil.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially released a list of 28 players for a series of fixtures including games against Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba, Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Monumental, and the friendly against Benin. Alongside Messi, the squad features the entire cohort that triumphed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, reinforcing the blend of experience and continuity within the team.
New Additions and Returning Faces
The squad also welcomes back Franco Mastantuono, currently on loan at Fiorentina from Real Madrid, and Juan Foyth of Villarreal, both making returns to the national call-up. Additionally, several fresh talents have been introduced: Gianluca Prestianni from Benfica, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro from Roma, Román Vega of Zenit, and Agustín Giay from Palmeiras, the latter having participated in the final stages of Argentina’s pre-World Cup camp.
According to an AFA statement, key midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso will also join Messi for the farewell match. Meanwhile, the final list of players drawn from the domestic league will be announced the following Friday, rounding out the squad for these international fixtures.
The announcement was confirmed by AFA President Chiqui Tapia, who emphasized the significance of Messi’s return for this unique occasion, allowing supporters a chance to celebrate the career of one of football’s greatest icons one last time on Argentine soil.