Messi has reportedly been included in Argentina's preliminary squad for the next friendlies after retiring. The move points less to a comeback than to a final home farewell for the country's defining player.

Messi's final Argentina farewell: the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner faces Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium after retiring from international football.

The legendary forward announced his international retirement last month.

Sept 15 : Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina to make a farewell appearance in a home friendly in October following his international retirement, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Tuesday. "We invited the best player in the world to play, the icon of our selection, our captain