Lionel Messi called up to Argentina squad for farewell friendly – despite retiring last month

Lionel Messi is set to make one final Argentina appearance after being called up to their squad to face Benin on October 6.

Last month, the 39-year-old confirmed he would be retiring from international duty after revealing that he had ‘nothing left to give’ after their abject World Cup final defeat by Spain in July.

However, it turns out the forward will return for one last farewell in front of his beloved home supporters when the three-time world champions take on Benin in a friendly on October 6.

The match at River Plate’s 85,000-capacity Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires is to be turned into a celebration of his career, with all his team-mates from Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup squad invited.

‘We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on 6 October here in Argentina,’ said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has scored a staggering 125 goals in 207 appearances for his country and captained them to World Cup glory in Qatar almost four years ago.

Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.