Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi, stating that the legendary forward deserves to retire from international football on his own terms. Messi announced his international retirement in August at the age of 39, but Scaloni has included him in the squad for a friendly match against Benin in Buenos Aires next month. Scaloni believes that this match will give Messi the opportunity to bid farewell to the Argentine fans in a manner he desires.
The friendly match against Benin, scheduled to take place on October 6 at River Plate's Estadio Monumental, will mark Messi's final appearance in front of Argentina's fans. Scaloni revealed that he had played a crucial role in ensuring Messi's participation in this match, stating that he wanted to be part of the forward's farewell and did everything possible to make it happen. Messi has had an illustrious career, winning eight Ballon d'Or awards and scoring over 100 goals for club and country.
Scaloni, who led Argentina to a third World Cup title in 2022, also heaped praise on Messi, suggesting that he deserved to win another Ballon d'Or. When asked about Messi's chances of receiving this year's award, Scaloni stated that if the prize is for the best player, then Messi is certainly deserving of it. Messi recently scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami, further cementing his reputation as one of the greatest players of all time.
Argentina will play a series of friendlies in the coming weeks, starting with a match against Bolivia on September 30 in Cordoba. They will then face Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3, before taking on Benin on October 6. Messi will join the squad for the third match, and Scaloni is excited to have him on board for the occasion. The Estadio Monumental, with a capacity of 85,000 spectators, is expected to be packed for Messi's farewell.
Scaloni, however, remained tight-lipped about his own future as Argentina coach, with his contract set to expire at the end of the year. He revealed that he had not yet held talks with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia and chose not to comment further on the matter. Scaloni's focus is currently on the upcoming friendlies, and he is eager to make the most of these matches.
Messi's farewell match against Benin is expected to be an emotional occasion, with Scaloni predicting that it will be hard not to cry during the ceremony. He described it as a privilege to be part of Messi's farewell and expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to work with the forward. The match is likely to be a fitting tribute to Messi's remarkable career.
The friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin will provide Argentina with valuable preparation ahead of future tournaments. Scaloni is expected to use these matches to assess his squad and make any necessary adjustments. For Messi, the match against Benin will be a chance to go out on a high note and leave a lasting legacy in Argentine football.
Key points
- Lionel Messi will retire from international football after a friendly match against Benin on October 6.
- Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes Messi deserves to win another Ballon d'Or.
- Scaloni's contract as Argentina coach is set to expire at the end of the year.
