Lionel Messi was named on Tuesday in Argentina's squad for a friendly against Benin on October 6, a match that will serve as his farewell appearance after announcing his international retirement last month.

Argentina’s tradition of producing exceptional footballers remains undiminished, but La Albiceleste are once again facing a recognisable challenge: adapting to life without a No10 who was once thought to be irreplaceable.

Messi curled in a superb strike on 62 minutes at Miami's Nu Stadium to fire Inter into a 2-1 lead but Nashville grabbed a share of the points after striker Sam Surridge bundled in an injury-time equaliser.

Lionel Scaloni's next era is taking shape, not by placing the weight of a nation on one teenager's shoulders, but by sharing the load between two special left-footed talents: Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz.

Mastantuono became the youngest Argentine ever to score a hattrick in one of Europe's top five leagues, achieving the feat at just 19 years and 28 days old.

For Scaloni, the decision is more personal. He has spent years under enormous pressure and has already achieved almost everything a coach can achieve with a national team. Continuing would mean starting another demanding project without Messi and with expectations that will remain extremely high.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has continued to rewrite the record books well into his forties, and the prospect of becoming the first player to score 1,000 competitive senior goals is now firmly within sight.

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is set to expand his club ownership portfolio after reaching a "preliminary agreement" to become the majority shareholder of Spanish second-division side Eldense.

Lionel Messi provided an assist in Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in Florida on Sunday in the Argentine's first appearance since retiring from international duty earlier this week.

Carlos Tevez retired from professional football in June 2022, but the former Argentina star is yet to have his official farewell match. That could finally happen in December at La Bombonera, the home of his beloved Boca Juniors. And the grand occasion could bring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo together on the same pitch.

“Lionel Messi has conquered his final peak. Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise.” British commentator Peter Drury said these words after Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup final.

Mourinho said there were no words to properly describe the quality of one of football’s greatest players.

According to the TyC Sports, the initiative proposes that in the next round of all categories of all men's and women's disciplines (eleven, futsal and beach soccer) the game be stopped ten minutes into the first half and a minute of applause be given in recognition of the time the Rosario star spent with the Argentine national team.

Riquelme said Argentines should be grateful for everything Messi has given to the national team and football.

Messi vacated the famous number 10 shirt on Monday, after 21 years of carrying Argentinian hopes on his shoulders.

Paredes received the suspension in August, weeks after an altercation erupted at the final whistle when he shoved Spain midfielder Gavi to the ground as the champions' substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate.

Messi first wore Argentina’s No. 10 on March 28, 2009, during Diego Maradona’s time as national-team coach. He wore the shirt for the first time in a 4-0 victory over Venezuela, and it soon became inseparable from his identity. Whenever Messi was available, the No. 10 belonged to him.

"This is the moment we get to look back on and realise how grateful we were to witness the greatness of a young kid with a dream," Beckham wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

Celebrate how Lionel Messi bids an emotional farewell to Argentina football at age 39. After a 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain and his father's passing, the legend chooses peace and true personal closure.

Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after a legendary 21-year career featuring World Cup and Copa América triumphs. Fans globally honor the football icon whose magical play, resilience, and extraordinary vision defined a generation of sport.