Lionel Messi to Play 'Farewell' Match for Argentina amid International Retirement After World Cup

Despite retiring from international football, Lionel Messi will make one last appearance for Argentina during the upcoming international window.

"After a conversation with senior national team coach Lionel Scaloni, we decided to invite the best player in the world — our icon, our captain Lionel Messi — so that he can have the farewell he deserves on October 6," Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia said per the Associated Press. "Furthermore, having received Lionel's acceptance, we want to invite all the Qatar World Cup champions to join him, along with their families, to witness the 'last tango' of the world's best player."

Here's Argentina's full squad for the upcoming 16-day international window in late September and early October:

During the international window Argentina will face Bolivia on Sept. 30, Burkina Faso on Oct. 3 and Benin on Oct. 6.

Messi officially retired from international football in late August, a little over a month after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.

"Now that some time has passed since the final, having thought it over carefully, I want to tell you all that I am retiring from the national team," he wrote, in part, on social media. "It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts—deep in my soul, but I realize that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave my all—not just in recent years when we won everything, but before that too—and I always fought hard and gave my all for this shirt, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football. There's not much time left and chapters are coming to a close; this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team. I've given my all; I've nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place."

The 39-year-old's time with Argentina is the stuff of legend: One World Cup title, three World Cup final appearances, six total World Cup tournaments, two Copa América titles and the most appearances (207) and goals (125) in Argentina national team history.

He is second all-time in World Cup goals (21) behind only Kylian Mbappé (22) and has the most assists (12) in the history of the tournament. And now the GOAT will make one final appearance for his country in a proper send-off.