Lionel Messi may have one last chance to don the Argentina jersey in front of his home fans, even after announcing his retirement from international football. According to a report from ESPN Argentina, Messi’s name has surfaced on Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary squad list for the upcoming friendly matches. The final roster of 26 players has yet to be revealed.
This announcement comes after months of uncertainty about whether Messi would stay with the national team until the 2028 Copa America. The Argentina captain recently confirmed that he is wrapping up his international career.
Now, his inclusion in the squad seems to have a different aim: to ensure that the legendary player receives a proper send-off on home ground.
Messi has profoundly influenced Argentina’s football legacy, participating in three World Cup finals over four tournaments. His triumph with the national team in Qatar in 2022 has solidified his status as one of Argentina’s all-time greats.
On Tuesday, the Argentine Football Association announced three friendly matches for the upcoming international window. Argentina will kick off this series of games against Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba.
Following that, the team will return to Buenos Aires for two more matches at the iconic Monumental Stadium. They are set to face Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6.
It is still unclear how much Messi will play in these matches. He might appear in one game, make cameo appearances throughout, or possibly participate in all three. However, his presence on the preliminary list hints that Argentina is planning a farewell rather than looking forward to a new international chapter.
The choice of venues adds to the excitement, especially if Messi steps onto the pitch. The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium can hold around 57,000 fans, providing supporters outside Buenos Aires a final opportunity to see their hero in action. Meanwhile, the Monumental, with a capacity of 85,018, is South America’s largest stadium, offering an even grander setting for Messi’s potential farewell.
