Messi set for 'one last dance' with Argentina in international friendly match

One last dance for the captain – Lionel Messi was on Tuesday named in Argentina's squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6, a match serving as his farewell appearance after announcing his international retirement last month.

Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia said in a video on X that coach Lionel Scaloni had called up the 39-year-old Messi "so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves... here in Argentina."

“We have decided to invite the world’s best player so that he can have the send-off he deserves – the icon, our captain, Lionel Andrés Messi – on 6 October,” Tapia said in a video.

The match in which Leo will bid farewell will be played on that day at the Monumental Stadium against Benin, and the world champions will be in attendance.

The match against Benin will take place on October 6 at River Plate's Monumental stadium, confirmed Tapia.