Lionel Scaloni

The 39-year-old captain scored a penalty and set up two goals in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin on Tuesday night at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, closing a 21-year international career that included a World Cup title and cemented his place among the greatest players in the sport's history

More than two decades after making his senior national team debut, Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday night

After more than two decades of service to his country, the 39-year-old superstar will hand over the captain’s armband for good as he makes his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey on Tuesday at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires

But after talks with Argentine Football Association (AFA) Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, the coach now looks set to stay in charge of the national team, which began in 2018

Lionel Messi's goal levelled Inter Miami 1-1 against Columbus Crew at the time

Then Messi retired, distraught after a missing a penalty in the shootout against Chile in the Copa América final in 2016

Messi had a memorable World Cup campaign in Qatar, scoring eight goals and four assists as Argentina reached the final

There had been speculation over how long Messi would continue his international career, with the 2028 Copa America considered a potential swansong

Paredes received the suspension in August, weeks after an altercation erupted at the final whistle when he shoved Spain midfielder Gavi to the ground as the ‌champions’ substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate

The Argentine sent shockwaves on Monday when he announced his retirement

A political controversy has erupted following Argentina’s victory over England in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, putting the future of several Premier League stars in the United Kingdom under intense scrutiny

Lamine Yamal rubbed salt into the wounds of Leandro Paredes by directly mocking him as Spain celebrated their World Cup triumph

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has thrown his support behind Lionel Messi amid growing speculation over the captain's international future following the FIFA World Cup 2026 final

Spain lift World Cup 2026 trophy after defeating Argentina

Some supporters allegedly threw bottles and other objects at police officers as tensions escalated

President Donald Trump praised the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major achievement for the United States on Sunday, speaking with reporters as he returned to Washington aboard Air Force One following Spain's extra-time victory over Argentina in the tournament's championship match

Lionel Messi's dream of signing off from international football on the ultimate high ended in heartbreak as Argentina lost the FIFA World Cup final against Spain 1-0

Paredes sparks ugly post-match brawl after Argentina’s World Cup heartbreak

Spain defeat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time

Argentina was forced to play all of extra time with only 10 men following Enzo Fernandez's dismissal for an ugly challenge on Pau Cubarsi

Spain ended a 16-year wait to reclaim football's biggest prize, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a gripping FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday

Spain have kept six clean sheets in seven matches as they prepare to face Argentina

Messi is one of soccer's wealthiest stars, with a net worth of $1.1 billion

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Yet with Kylian Mbappé on the hunt for his second successive Golden Boot in Didier Deschamps’ last match in charge of Les Bleus, even that lead courtesy of goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two from Bukayo Saka almost wasn’t enough

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While Latin Americans have traditionally rallied behind football teams from the region who advance deep into the FIFA World Cup, a flood of memes, jokes and criticism has made it clear there is one exception: Argentina

There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men's Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men's Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else

Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men's Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else

The heartfelt message comes on the heels of La Albiceleste's breathtaking 2-1 comeback victory over England, booking their spot in a highly anticipated final clash against Spain at MetLife Stadium

Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

Three Lions facing another four years of hurt after throwing away semi-final lead

Vincic will be joined by compatriot assistants Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, making history as the first ever referee from Slovenia to take charge of the landmark fixture

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Argentine players wave banner claiming Falklands as their own after beating England on the pitch

FIFA take a gargantuan amount of money from Aramco — and others of course — and should have to account for it

The reigning world champions won yet another World Cup game in 2026

Three Lions facing another four years of hurt after throwing away semi-final lead

Prediction king Shawk nails Argentina’s comeback win over England

The fixture will also mark Lionel Messi's first competitive appearance against England in international football

England’s national anthem was drowned out by Argentinian boos and chants before Three Lions fans repaid the gesture as tensions boiled over before their seismic World Cup semi-final even kicked off

The satirical campaign focuses heavily on allegations of favoritism, with critics weaponizing memes and digital edits to diminish Messi's achievements on global stage

But the defending champion's journey to the last four has been engulfed by online conspiracy theories claiming — without evidence — that the playing field is being tilted in its favor

Lionel Messi has received just three red cards in his illustrious 21-year professional career — but one of them meant he missed out on an international appearance against England