Messi called up by Argentina for farewell appearance following international retirement

Following his recent announcement of international retirement, Argentina has extended an invitation for Lionel Messi to make a farewell appearance in a home friendly match scheduled for October. Messi, who captained the team to victory in the 2022 World Cup, has yet to decide whether he will accept the honor. The Argentine Football Association president, Claudio Tapia, expressed his enthusiasm for the occasion via a social media post, stating that Messi, the team's icon, would be welcomed to celebrate a well-deserved farewell in Argentina.

Argentina plans to participate in three home friendlies during the FIFA's international window, which will mark the first matches for the national team since their World Cup triumph. The first of these matches is set to take place on October 7 in Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium, where Messi has been cordially invited to play. Additionally, Argentina will face Bolivia in Córdoba and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires during the FIFA international window.

Recently, three Argentine players — Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada — received bans from FIFA for their involvement in a post-match altercation following the team's loss to Spain in the World Cup final held in New Jersey in July.