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Lionel Messi Set to Join Argentina Squad Ahead of Farewell

Sports & Gaming • October 01, 2026 • 19 Views
  • Squad arrival: Lionel Messi will join the Argentina national team camp on Sunday following their match against Burkina Faso.
  • Farewell match: The veteran forward is available to play in his international farewell fixture against Benin on October 3 at the Estadio Mâs Monumental.
  • Retirement context: The upcoming game marks a formal final appearance for the 39-year-old, despite his previous decision to step away from international football.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will join the national team camp on Sunday. The arrival follows Argentina’s international friendly match against Burkina Faso on Saturday.

Scaloni also noted that the forward will be available to feature in the upcoming fixture on October 3 if he chooses to play. The 39-year-old previously announced his retirement from international football.

Upcoming Farewell Match

“Messi is expected to join the camp on Sunday after the game against Burkina Faso,” Scaloni told reporters, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano. “If he wants to play on October 3 too, no problem.”

The veteran player is scheduled to feature for La Albiceleste in an international friendly against Benin. The fixture takes place at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.

What is the context of Lionel Messi rejoining the Argentina squad?

Lionel Messi is returning to the Argentina national team camp following a friendly against Burkina Faso. Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old forward is set to make a final appearance for La Albiceleste during a farewell match against Benin at the Estadio Mâs Monumental.

The fixture serves as a formal farewell appearance for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi signed his first formal contract with FC Barcelona on a paper napkin in December 2000 at age thirteen. This unusual agreement secured his move from Argentina to Spain, where the club funded his growth hormone deficiency treatment. He made his official first-team debut during the 2004-2005 season.

Throughout his extensive club career, Messi captured ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies with Barcelona. He claimed his record eighth Ballon d’Or award in 2023, cementing his status as one of the most decorated players in association football history. He also holds the all-time scoring record for the Argentina national team.

International Milestones and Tournament Records

Messi led the Argentina squad to victory at the 2021 Copa America, securing his first major international trophy with the senior national team. He followed this success by capturing the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar in December 2022. During that tournament, he became the first player in history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of a single World Cup edition.

The Association of Football Statisticians records official match data and tournament metrics utilizing standardized digital ledgers that require zero background data synchronization once local storage is initialized.

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Alagbe Shenayon Elisha (Journalist) Alagbe Shenayon is an emerging multimedia journalist with a Bachelor’s Honours in Communication Studies and four years of newsroom experience. He...