Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina's squad for the September and October international friendlies despite confirming his retirement from international football.
Messi delivered a heartfelt message to announce his retirement from international football on 31st August, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious 21-year spell with the Argentina national team.
He would always have been viewed by football fans as an all-time great irrespective of if he led Argentina to World Cup glory, but the nation's success in 2022 undoubtedly strengthens his case as the GOAT.
There were doubts as to whether the 38-year-old Argentine would participate at the 2026 World Cup given that he is playing in a league that many deem less competitive, but he enjoyed a remarkable campaign, finding the net on eight occasions and recording four assists as his nation reached the final, where they ultimately lost 1-0 to Luis de la Fuente's Spain.
Despite confirming his retirement from international football, Messi has been named in Argentina's squad for their upcoming international friendlies.
Read on to find out why.
Why is Lionel Messi in the Argentina squad despite retiring from international football?
Messi has been included in Argentina's squad for the October and September international friendlies so that he can bid farewell to the national team on home soil.
He will join forces with Lionel Scaloni's squad for their final friendly against Benin on Tuesday 6th October, which will be played at River Plate's Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia explained the decision to involve Messi in the squad.
He said: “To all the fans of Argentina, I want to communicate that after a conversation we had with national team manager, Lionel Scaloni, we’ve decided to invite the best player in the world, the icon of our national team, our captain Lionel Messi, so that he can receive the goodbye he truly deserves on Oct. 6, here, in Argentina."
Argentina's squad for September & October internationals
Goalkeepers
- Emiliano Martínez
- Juan Musso
- Gerónimo Rulli
- Agustín Giay
Defenders
- Leonardo Balerdi
- Cristian Romero
- Lisandro Martínez
- Juan Foyth
- Facundo Medina
- Nicolás Tagliafico
- Román Vega
- Valentín Barco
Midfielders
- Giovani Lo Celso
- Ezequiel Palacios
- Rodrigo De Paul
- Nicolás Paz
- Franco Mastantuono
- Matías Soulé
- Giuliano Simeone
- Nicolás González
- Gianluca Prestiani
- Enzo Fernández
- Alexis Mac Allister
Forwards
- José Manuel López
- Santiago Castro
- Julián Alvarez
- Lautaro Martínez
- Lionel Messi
