Argentina have named Lionel Messi in their squad for a friendly against Benin in October in a match which is set to be the forward’s farewell to international football.

Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August in the wake of his country’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and after saying he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge.

The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina when they won the 2022 World Cup, said the decision to stop playing for La Albiceleste hurt him “deeply” but that he had “given it my all” and had “nothing left to give”.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who currently plays for Inter Miami, is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.

“We 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 6 October here in Argentina,” said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.

River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which has an 85,000 capacity, will host the game against Benin.

Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners have also been invited to the match, which Tapia said would be an “unforgettable” occasion.

Argentina were ordered to play their next two home matches with 50% capacity, although one match of that sanction was suspended, for breaches of the Fifa disciplinary code during the World Cup.

The punishment related to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.

After defeating England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, several Argentina players held up a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.

As they play friendlies against Bolivia on 30 September in Cordoba and Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on 3 October, it should mean the punishment will have been served before the Benin game.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and team-mate Nahuel Molina are not expected to be available as they were given respective 10-game and seven-match suspensions for their part in on-field clashes following their country’s defeat by Spain in the World Cup final.

Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez retired from international football on Tuesday, having won 131 caps ​and inspired his country to the 2014 ‌World Cup quarter-finals.

“Thank you for every match, every joy, every tear and every dream we shared. Defending ​the colours of the Colombia national team ​was one of the greatest honours of ⁠my life,” Rodriguez said in a video ​posted on social media (via Reuters).

The 35-year-old, who made his ​senior debut in 2011 and often captained Colombia, scored 31 goals and represented his country at three World ​Cups and four Copa America tournaments.

Rodriguez rose ​to global prominence at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, ‌scoring ⁠six goals to win the Golden Boot as Colombia reached the quarter-finals. His volley against Uruguay in the last 16 earned him FIFA’s ​Puskas Award ​for the ⁠best goal of the year.

He signed for Colombian side Atletico Nacional last ​week on a deal running until ​next ⁠June after leaving Major League Soccer club Minnesota United.

Rodriguez previously played for Real Madrid, winning two ⁠Champions ​League and two LaLiga titles, ​and also had spells with Bayern Munich and Everton

Rodri explained how tough it was to decline Real Madrid as he opened up on his decision to join Barcelona.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner joined Barca from Manchester City this summer.

Rodri was superb in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign, and he has slotted into a Barca team that have started the season in remarkable fashion.

Hansi Flick’s side have won all five of their matches, plundering 26 goals.

However, Rodri might well have ended up at Barca’s rivals, Madrid, but he chose to turn down Los Blancos.

“I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday this summer, but that was not the case,” Rodri told Mundo Deportivo.

“I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects, by what excited me a little more and picking where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.

“It wasn’t easy at all. Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary. In the end, [Barca sporting director] Deco and Hansi convinced me.”

Jose Mourinho previously claimed he sensed doubts in Rodri’s commitment to joining Madrid, and that is why the proposRodri: Saying No To Real Madrid Was Not Easy

Rodri explained how tough it was to decline Real Madrid as he opened up on his decision to join Barcelona.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner joined Barca from Manchester City this summer.

Rodri was superb in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign, and he has slotted into a Barca team that have started the season in remarkable fashion.

Hansi Flick’s side have won all five of their matches, plundering 26 goals.

However, Rodri might well have ended up at Barca’s rivals, Madrid, but he chose to turn down Los Blancos.

“I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday this summer, but that was not the case,” Rodri told Mundo Deportivo.

“I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects, by what excited me a little more and picking where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.

“It wasn’t easy at all. Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary. In the end, [Barca sporting director] Deco and Hansi convinced me.”

Jose Mourinho previously claimed he sensed doubts in Rodri’s commitment to joining Madrid, and that is why the proposed transfer broke down.

Rodri, who has now ticked beyond 100 LaLiga appearances, explained he spoke with Mourinho once his mind was made up.

“I don’t want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team.

“He was very good with me. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me.

“He is a great coach, he has demonstrated it across many years, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in the league this season.”ed transfer broke down.

Rodri, who has now ticked beyond 100 LaLiga appearances, explained he spoke with Mourinho once his mind was made up.

“I don’t want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team.

“He was very good with me. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me.

“He is a great coach, he has demonstrated it across many years, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in the league this season.”