[REVISION HISTORY]

Lionel Messi retirement and Argentina captaincy transition

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2026-09-16 15:07 UTC → 2026-09-17 18:37 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following Lionel Messi’s official retirement from the Argentine national team on 30 August 2026, the squad has begun a formal leadership transition. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has designated 28-year-old centre-back Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero as the new captain following the departures of Messi and Nicolás Otamendi. To honor Messi, the AFA has organized a series of three ‘Class A’ friendly matches. The schedule includes a match against Bolivia on 30 September at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, and a match against Burkina Faso on 3 October at the Monumental. Due to FIFA sanctions following the 2026 World Cup—stemming from post-match conduct and non-sporting demonstrations—the matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso will be held at 50 percent stadium capacity. Several players, including Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada, remain under FIFA suspensions and will not participate in these fixtures. AFA President Claudio Tapia has confirmed that Messi will play his final match against Benin on 6 October at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This farewell event, described as “the last tango” for the legendary captain, will feature the presence of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families. While Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso are confirmed to join the squad specifically for this final fixture, the team is also integrating new prospects such as Franco Mastantuono, Román Vega, and Gianluca Prestianni as part of a rebuilding process toward the 2030 World Cup. Unlike the preceding restricted matches, the farewell match against Benin is expected to proceed at full capacity. Messi is projected to earn his 208th cap during this final ~~appearance.~~ appearance, retiring as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances.

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