Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will participate in a farewell friendly against Benin in October in Buenos Aires. Messi, 39, announced his international retirement in August but was included in the squad by Scaloni, who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. Scaloni expressed his honor to facilitate Messi's final appearance, emphasizing the importance of the player saying goodbye to his devoted fans. He also asserted that Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and recent scorer of his 100th goal for Inter Miami, merits another Ballon d'Or award. Argentina has scheduled friendlies against Bolivia and Burkina Faso before Messi joins for the Benin fixture at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental. Scaloni's contract is set to expire at the end of 2026, and he intends to meet with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia to discuss his future, indicating he will not hold onto the position indefinitely.