BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina after all.
Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami star was included Tuesday in Lionel Scaloni’s 28-man Argentina squad ahead of upcoming home friendlies.
Messi has yet to confirm whether he will join the team.
“After a conversation with senior national team coach Lionel Scaloni, we decided to invite the best player in the world — our icon,
our captain Lionel Messi — so that he can have the farewell he deserves on October 6,” said Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association.
Tapia stated that Messi accepted the invitation for the Oct. 6 game against Benin.
“Furthermore, having received Lionel’s acceptance, we want to invite all the Qatar World Cup champions to join him, along with their families, to witness the ‘last tango’ of the world’s best player.”
Argentina announced that they will face Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin in its first batch of friendly matches following the retirement of Messi from the national team.
The Argentine Football Association said Tuesday the home match against Bolivia will take place Sept. 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba. It marks the Albiceleste’s return home following its runner-up finish at the World Cup.
The Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires will host the friendlies against Burkina Faso and Benin on Oct. 3 and Oct. 6, respectively.
Messi recently retired from international duty after a 21-year spell with the national team that included winning the 2022 World Cup.
Focus also turns to the future of coach Lionel Scaloni, whose contract expires in December. Scaloni hinted he might step down following the 1–0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.
Argentina expects to release its roster in the coming days.
Three Argentina players — Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada — were recently handed bans by FIFA for a scuffle after losing the the World Cup final. Paredes received a 10-match ban.
___
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
