AFA hopes Benin and Burkina Faso can tempt Messi to one last dance in Argentina

Lionel Messi may have announced his retirement from international football, but the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is not quite ready to let him go.

AFA is preparing to invite Messi to return as skipper once again for Argentina’s next round of home friendlies, potentially giving the 39-year-old a fond farewell in front of his own supporters.

Authorities are lining up two games, at the Monumental in Buenos Aires and the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba, and they want Messi to remain the star attraction.

The proposed matches would form part of the next FIFA international window, running from September 21 to October 6. Argentina are expected to play two or three games, with Burkina Faso and Benin reportedly among the possible opponents.

The AFA has yet to confirm the dates or rivals, but it hopes the prospect of one final appearance – or two – will persuade Messi to put his retirement on hold.

If the idea is to ease the skipper gently into retirement, the opposition should help.

Burkina Faso are no pushovers, having finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and third in 2017, although they have since suffered consecutive last-16 exits. But Benin have appeared at the tournament just five times, with their quarter-final run in 2019 their best result.

For Argentina, however, football is almost secondary in consideration. The matches would be an opportunity to celebrate Messi's extraordinary international career on home soil — and perhaps squeeze a few more minutes – and a few more million dollars – out of a player who has already given his country a World Cup, two Copa América titles and a Finalissima.

Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31. AFA, it seems, is already working on an exception.