Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:19am on 16 Sep 2026,Wednesday Sports
Lionel Messi is set to wear Argentina’s jersey for one final time after being included in the preliminary 26-member squad for a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6. Messi had confirmed his international retirement shortly after Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain. Argentina Football Association (AFA) said Messi accepted its invitation to receive the farewell he deserves and confirmed that members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, along with their families, will also be invited. Argentina will play Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30 and Burkina Faso at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental on October 3 before facing Benin. Messi’s final international appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final. (PC: X)
