Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on the last day of August, confirming that the World Cup final against Spain in July was his final game in the Argentina jersey as he steps away from national duties.
Before the World Cup, the 39-year-old’s last appearance in Argentina came in a friendly against Zambia on March 31, 2026.
An Argentine journalist who reports for ESPN and Fox Sports, Lionel Messi’s name has appeared on Argentina’s call-up list for the upcoming international friendlies, which are scheduled to be played on home soil, according to Federico Bueno.
Lionel Scaloni’s team will play three friendlies over the span of one week, beginning September 30 and continuing through October 6. At the time, although many expected the World Cup to be his final tournament with the national team, it had not been confirmed whether he would retire immediately after the competition. Messi scored once and provided an assist in that game. Now, with the Argentine Football Association confirming the team’s upcoming schedule for the international break, Messi could have one final opportunity to bid farewell to his home fans after confirming his retirement. With the squad announcement still to come, it remains uncertain which of the three fixtures could potentially serve as Lionel Messi’s farewell match. However, speculation has pointed toward one of the two games at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires as a possible setting for his final appearance.
