Messi appeared in a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6, 2026. The match was billed as his official send-off from the national team and was described as a symbolic handover to a new era for the World Cup-winning side.
He leaves as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and its most-capped player with 207 appearances.
Although his time with Argentina is over, Messi has not stepped away from the game entirely. He remains an active player for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer and is under contract with the club until 2028.
However, he has hinted that he could retire from professional football earlier than planned. He has said he is re-evaluating his future following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago.
Even so, his form on the field has stayed strong. In mid-September, Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul, which gave the club the 2026 Campeones Cup. The trophy was the 48th senior title of his career, counting both club and country, extending his own record.
A few days later, he scored his 101st goal for Miami in a 2-2 league draw with San Diego FC. It was his 20th league goal of the 2026 season.
Across all competitions this year, Messi has scored 35 goals in 39 games. At 39, he remains central to Miami's attack.
Messi's recent performances have led several well-known figures to back him for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Casemiro praised his 100th goal for Miami and urged voters to favor him. Diego Simeone also endorsed him, pointing to his impact at the World Cup.
Away from the pitch, Messi is growing his role in youth football. He has launched the second edition of the Messi Cup, an under-16 international tournament in South Florida.
The event runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1 and features 16 youth teams. The field includes Inter Miami, Barcelona, Ajax, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Arsenal, Manchester City, Boca Juniors, River Plate and Chelsea, among others.
The tournament is organized with his production company, 525 Rosario.
For Argentina, the farewell closes a major chapter. For Messi, the focus now turns back to Inter Miami, the Ballon d'Or race and his youth tournament. How long he continues to play at the professional level remains an open question, as he weighs his future after the loss of his father.
