Messi Recalled to Argentina for Farewell Friendlies
Argentina's AFA called Messi back for three September–October friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin, his last games for the national team.
Lionel Messi has been recalled to the Argentina squad for next month's friendlies, the Argentine Football Association confirmed on its website on 15 September.
Messi announced his international retirement in late August, saying the decision had been made on 21 July, two days after the World Cup final. Reports had since suggested the AFA wanted him for one more camp as a tribute to his contribution to the national side. AFA has now paused matches nationwide in the 10th minute for a minute's applause in his honour, and Cristian Romero has already taken over the captaincy from him.
Argentina play three friendlies at home during the coming international break: Bolivia on 30 September, Burkina Faso on 3 October and Benin on 6 October. The Benin match will be Messi's last for Argentina.
The squad list also carries a new name. Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Román Vega has been called up by Argentina for the first time in his career, aged 22. He has made the switch from Argentinos Juniors and Barcelona's reserve side to Zenit, where he has been since 2025 and has scored once.
For Vega, a first cap would arrive in the same camp as Messi's farewell, a pairing of a debut and a departure that AFA's release makes plain but does not otherwise explain.
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