AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia confirmed that Lionel Messi will have his official farewell match with the Argentina national team on October 6, when the Albiceleste face Benin at El Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The decision came after a conversation between Tapia and head coach Lionel Scaloni, with Messi himself accepting the proposal to close out his international career on home soil.
Announcing the news, Tapia said: “To all the fans of the national team, to all Argentines, I want to let you know that after a conversation with the head coach of the senior national team, Lionel Scaloni, we have made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6, right here in Argentina.”
Tapia also revealed that the AFA will invite every member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, along with their families, to be present for the occasion, though he did not confirm which players have accepted so far.
Describing the significance of the tribute, Tapia called it “the last tango of the best in the world,” adding that the match will be unforgettable for Argentine fans everywhere.
*Developing story
