How I Convinced Messi to Return for Farewell Match — Scaloni

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed how he persuaded Lionel Messi to return to the national team for a farewell match after announcing his retirement from international football.

Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina in a home friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6.

Scaloni said he personally played a role in convincing the 39-year-old forward to accept the opportunity, explaining that he wanted Messi to have the chance to say goodbye to Argentina supporters in front of his home fans.

“I believe that a player like him deserves this. Personally, I did my part because I wanted to be at his farewell,” Scaloni said.

The coach explained that he did not know whether he would still be in charge of Argentina in the future, which influenced his decision to push for the farewell to take place during the current international window.

“Since I don’t know if I would be here later, we pushed hard so that he could be in this match,” he said.

Scaloni added that he was aware of what Messi had been going through but said the forward still showed the desire to return and share the moment with the supporters who have followed his career.

“We knew everything he was going through and even so, he put in the desire and effort to want to come and be able to say goodbye with his people, with the people who love him so much,” he said.

Messi announced his retirement from international football in August, following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

The farewell match against Benin will give the Argentina captain an opportunity to make one final appearance for the national team in front of supporters at the Monumental.

Scaloni said the timing was important because the emotional impact of a tribute could be different if it were postponed.

“If we have to pay tribute, we have to do it at this moment,” he said.

Scaloni’s contract with Argentina is due to expire in December, and he said he is expected to meet Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia to discuss his future with the national team.