BREAKING! Messi returns to Argentina national team

Messi's last dance with Argentina may not be over just yet.

Details: According to ESPN Argentina journalist Federico Bueno, Lionel Messi has been included in Lionel Scaloni's preliminary squad for the upcoming international window. The official 26-man roster has not yet been announced, but the plan is reportedly to bring the legendary forward back for a proper farewell in front of Argentine supporters.

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The development comes only weeks after Messi announced the end of his international career. According to the latest report, Scaloni now intends to give the former captain an opportunity to say goodbye on the pitch rather than allow the World Cup final to remain his final appearance in the Albiceleste shirt.

The Argentine Football Association has already confirmed three home friendlies during the upcoming window. Argentina will face Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, before meeting Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. It remains unclear whether Messi would feature in one match or make appearances across several of those fixtures.

It is worth noting that official AFA statistics credit Messi with a record 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina. He won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima with the national team.

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