Messi called up by Argentina to make farewell appearance following international retirement

Argentina has invited Lionel Messi to make a farewell appearance in a home friendly in October, confirming the news on Tuesday. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia expressed his delight on social media, stating that the AFA has invited the world's best player to have a well-deserved farewell match on October 6 in Argentina.

Argentina will play three home friendlies during the Sept 21-Oct 6 FIFA international window, their initial matches since the World Cup. They will face Benin in Buenos Aires Monumental Stadium on October 6, where Messi will play his farewell match. Argentina will also host Bolivia at Cordoba's Mario Kempes Stadium on Sept 30 and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on Oct 3.

The October 6 match will see Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada from local leagues, with squad members Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada serving suspensions of 10, seven, and one match respectively due to their involvement in an altercation after the World Cup final against Spain.