Lionel Messi handed shock call-up by Argentina just weeks after retiring from international duty

LIONEL MESSI has been included in Argentina’s squad for a set of upcoming friendlies just weeks after his international retirement. The Barcelona legend called time on an incredible career with the Albiceleste at the end of August. Lionel Messi will feature for Argentina in a final farewell match Credit: Getty The 85,000-seater Estadio Monumental is set to host the farewell fixture in October Credit: Getty But he is set to take to the pitch at least one more time as it was revealed that the star had been invited to take part in a farewell friendly in October. The Inter Miami forward will walk out in Argentina colours in his home country for the final time on October sixth. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! His nation will face off with African minnows Benin at the 85,000-seater Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires during the last of three friendly clashes over the next month. The Benin match will arrive after clashes with Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Argentine FA chief Claudio Tapia revealed the decision on Instagram, saying: “We invited the best player in the world to play, our national team icon, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, to have a deserved farewell on October 6, here in Argentina.” Messi made his first appearance for the Albiceleste in 2005, coming off the bench as an 18-year-old against Hungary and being sent off in less than a minute after a clash with defender Vilmos Vanczak. But it is safe to say he redeemed himself in his 21-year international career after the incident. He will retire as his nation’s record appearance maker with 207, and record scorer with 125, dwarfing the tally of next closest forward Gabriel Batistuta’s 56 goals. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Those strikes helped him lead his nation to consecutive Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. But the jewel in his crown as Argentina captain was winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating France in a thrilling final, in which he scored twice and tucked away his penalty in the shootout. In a nice gesture, his team-mates from that squad have been invited to his farewell match to soak in the occasion. Tapia added: “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.” Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada will not feature in the squad as they serve suspensions of 10, seven and one match respectively for their roles in an altercation after the World Cup final against Spain. Comment now