Lionel Messi Set to Bid Farewell in Upcoming Friendlies
Messi's Farewell Matches Announced
Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has been named in the squad for a series of friendlies, allowing him to say goodbye to his fans following his announcement of international retirement. The Argentina national team is scheduled to play three friendly matches in the country between September 21 and October 6, as confirmed by the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Details of the Farewell Match Schedule
Under the guidance of coach Lionel Scaloni, the team will face Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium located in Cordoba. The subsequent two matches will take place at River Plate's Stadium, with one against Burkina Faso on October 3 and another against Benin on October 6. Messi, along with teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, is expected to participate in the final friendly on October 6.
Lionel Scaloni’s squad list for the upcoming friendlies pic.twitter.com/lAnthh9tnQ — Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) September 15, 2026
A Glorious International Career
Messi's retirement from the national team was announced earlier in September, marking the end of a remarkable international career that began with his debut in 2005. He holds the record as Argentina's most-capped player and its all-time leading scorer, having made 203 appearances and netted 203 goals while leading the nation to three significant international titles.
Highlights of His Career
The 39-year-old's journey with Argentina was filled with challenges before he finally achieved major success. After suffering defeats in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and the 2016 Copa America final against Chile, Messi played a pivotal role in Argentina's victory at the 2021 Copa America, ending a 28-year trophy drought. He then led the team to World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022, scoring twice in the final against France and converting a penalty in the shootout, which Argentina won 4-2 after a 3-3 draw in extra time. Argentina also retained the Copa America title in 2024, adding to Messi's impressive collection of international accolades.
Legacy in World Cups
Messi's World Cup journey spanned six tournaments from 2006 to 2026, during which he scored 21 goals in 34 matches, making him the second-highest goal-scorer in World Cup history. In the 2026 World Cup, he scored eight goals and provided four assists, including his first World Cup hat-trick against Algeria.
Despite stepping back from international football, Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.