Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni believes this is the right time for star forward Lionel Messi’s International farewell with the national team. Messi recently announced his International retirement after his father Jorge died aged 68.
Messi’s swansong will be the friendly clash against Benin, which will be played on October 6. He recently lost the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain, and he revealed in his retirement post that he decided to retire two days after the final loss.
La Pulga, as he famously known, won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, two Copa America titles, and the Finalissima. The striker finished his legendary international career for Argentina with 125 goals in 207 appearances. Messi is the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.
“I believe that a player like him deserves that,” Scaloni said at a news conference Thursday. “And I personally contributed my bit because I want to be at his farewell. And since today I don’t know if I would be available later on, we made an effort so that he could be in this match.
“We knew everything he was going through, and yet he put in the desire and effort to come and say goodbye with his people, with the people who love him so much. And I think if there’s a tribute to be made, it should be done now, because later on, the magic might not be the same. And I believe now is the time for him to feel that love from everyone.”
Messi scored eight goals in as many matches of the World Cup 2026, scoring a total of 21 goals in the tournament. Scaloni said there won’t be anyone like Messi.
“For me, getting to coach him was the ultimate experience. It was a dream. I told him so, and I’ll say it for the rest of my life. There will never be anyone like him,” Scaloni said. “It’s very rare for a player like that to come along — not just because of what he does on the pitch, but because of everything he conveys off it. Let’s enjoy this.”
Argentina is set to face Bolivia on Sept. 30 and Burkina Faso on Oct. 3 before hosting Benin at the Monumental.
