Lionel Messi added to Argentina’s roster for Oct. 6 friendly that team says will be farewell match
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina after all.
Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami star was included Tuesday in Lionel Scaloni’s 28-man Argentina squad ahead of upcoming home friendlies.
Messi has yet to confirm whether he will join the team.
“After a conversation with senior national team coach Lionel Scaloni, we decided to invite the best player in the world — our icon, our captain Lionel Messi — so that he can have the farewell he deserves on October 6,” said Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association.
Tapia stated that Messi accepted the invitation for the Oct. 6 game against Benin.
“Furthermore, having received Lionel’s acceptance, we want to invite all the Qatar World Cup champions to join him, along with their families, to witness the ‘last tango’ of the world’s best player.”
Argentina announced that they will face Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin in its first batch of friendly matches following the retirement of Messi from the national team.
The Argentine Football Association said Tuesday the home match against Bolivia will take place Sept. 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba. It marks the Albiceleste’s return home following its runner-up finish at the World Cup.
The Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires will host the friendlies against Burkina Faso and Benin on Oct. 3 and Oct. 6, respectively.
Messi recently retired from international duty after a 21-year spell with the national team that included winning the 2022 World Cup.
Focus also turns to the future of coach Lionel Scaloni, whose contract expires in December. Scaloni hinted he might step down following the 1–0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.
Argentina expects to release its roster in the coming days.
Three Argentina players — Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada — were recently handed bans by FIFA for a scuffle after losing the the World Cup final. Paredes received a 10-match ban.
___
See AP’s full soccer coverage here