Messi named to Argentina squad for Oct. 6 farewell game

Lionel Messi has been called up to the Argentina national team to participate in the friendly against Benin on Oct. 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires to mark his final game with La Albiceleste. Argentina football federation president Claudio Tapia confirmed the match on Oct. 6 will be dedicated to Messi, giving the forward a proper send-off after he announced his retirement from international soccer. "To all Argentina fans, I want to tell you that after a conversation with the national team head coach, Lionel Scaloni, we have decided to invite the best player in the world, our national team emblem, our captain, Lionel Andrés Messi, so he can have the goodbye he truly deserves on October 6, here, in Argentina," Tapia said in a video statement. "At the same time, after Lionel accepted the invitation we decided to invite all the 2022 World Cup winners that played with him in Qatar, so they can, with their families, join him in this match that will be unforgettable. We invite all Argentinians and national team fans to watch "the last tango" of the best player in the world." Messi announced his retirement from international football on Aug. 31 in an Instagram post. He departs his national team as the all-time leading scorer and most capped player, recording 125 goals in 207 games for Argentina. Argentina is also set to face Bolivia on Sept. 30 and Burkina Faso on Oct. 3 before hosting Benin at the Monumental. Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso will also join Argentina exclusively for the match against Benin on Oct. 6, despite being included in the general roster as well.