Lionel Messi could receive Argentina home farewell after appearing on preliminary squad list

Lionel Messi could be given a final chance to play for Argentina in front of home supporters after his name reportedly appeared on Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary squad list for the upcoming international friendlies, ESPN Argentina said. Messi has previously announced his retirement from international football, and the final 26-man squad has not yet been announced.

There had been months of speculation over whether Messi would continue with the national team until the 2028 Copa America, but the Argentina captain confirmed his international career was coming to an end. His reported inclusion on the preliminary list now appears aimed at arranging a home farewell rather than signaling a return to a prolonged international campaign. Messi has featured in three World Cup finals across four editions and lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022.

The Argentine Football Association confirmed three friendly matches for the next international window, but has not published the final squad selection. Reports say Messi’s name is on the list being considered by Scaloni ahead of those fixtures.

It remains unclear how much playing time Messi would receive if selected; he could appear in a single match, make brief cameo appearances across more than one game, or take part in all three fixtures. Observers have interpreted his presence on the preliminary list as preparation for a farewell rather than the beginning of another chapter with the national team.

The choice of venues has been noted as relevant to any farewell plans. The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium is capable of holding around 57,000 spectators, which could allow fans outside Buenos Aires to see Messi represent Argentina one last time, while the Monumental has a capacity of 85,018 and is the largest stadium in South America.

Argentina will begin the run of friendlies against Bolivia on Wednesday, September 30, at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, then return to Buenos Aires to face Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6 at the Monumental.