\u201cWe invited \u2060the world\u2019s best player, our national-team icon, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, to have a deserved farewell here in Argentina,\u201d wrote AFA president Claudio Tapia on social media.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso will join the squad for the final friendly match on October 6th. The list of players called up from the domestic league will be announced on Friday,\" the Argentine FA said<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Argentine great last month announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 20-year Argentina career that included a World Cup triumph, two Copa America titles and a record 207 appearances for his country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAfter the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team,\u201d wrote Messi on 31 August. \u201cIt was a decision that hurt \u2013 and still hurts deep down \u2013 but I understand that the time has come.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI swear to you that I always gave it my all \u2013 not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you, through football, feel proud to be Argentinian.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 39-year-old eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who currently plays for Inter Miami in MLS, is Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Messi made his Argentina debut as an 18-year-old in 2005. He inspired the Albiceleste to a runners-up finish at Brazil 2014 and the title at Qatar 2022. At his last FIFA World Cup earlier this year, Messi registered eight goals and four assists to propel Lionel Scaloni\u2019s side into the decider, which they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Argentine national team will play three international friendlies September 21 to October 6. The first match will take place at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in C\u00f3rdoba province on Wednesday, September 30, against Bolivia. The remaining two matches will be at River Plate Stadium on October 3, against Burkina Faso, and on October 6 against Benin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Messi made his Argentina debut as an 18-year-old in 2005. He inspired the Albiceleste to a runners-up finish at Brazil 2014 and the title at Qatar 2022. At his last FIFA World Cup earlier this year, Messi registered eight goals and four assists to propel Lionel Scaloni\u2019s side into the decider, which they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Argentina's 2022 World Cup winners and their families have also been invited to the match, which Tapia said would be an \"unforgettable\" occasion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n