Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said now is the right time for Lionel Messi's international farewell amid uncertainty about his own future in charge of the national team.
The team's friendly against Benin at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium on Oct. 6 will serve as the occasion for the 39-year-old Messi to appear for his final match in his national team's jersey, following his announcement in late August that he was ending his international career.
"I believe that a player like him deserves that," Scaloni said at a news conference Thursday. "And I personally contributed my bit because I want to be at his farewell. And since today I don't know if I would be available later on, we made an effort so that he could be in this match.
- After Messi and Neymar, who will be next No. 10s for Brazil, Argentina?
- Messi tracker: All goals, assists, key moments for Miami, Argentina in 2026
- Inter Miami to host 2nd edition of Messi Cup youth tournament
"We knew everything he was going through, and yet he put in the desire and effort to come and say goodbye with his people, with the people who love him so much. And I think if there's a tribute to be made, it should be done now, because later on, the magic might not be the same. And I believe now is the time for him to feel that love from everyone."
In the last World Cup -- the sixth of his career -- Messi played all eight matches and scored eight goals. The Inter Miami forward concluded his national team career as its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, 21 of which came in World Cups.
"For me, getting to coach him was the ultimate experience. It was a dream. I told him so, and I'll say it for the rest of my life. There will never be anyone like him," Scaloni said. "It's very rare for a player like that to come along -- not just because of what he does on the pitch, but because of everything he conveys off it. Let's enjoy this."
Messi, who holds the record with eight Ballon d'Or awards, is nominated for the prize to be presented on Oct. 26.
"After the World Cup he just played, there isn't much more to add," Scaloni said. "If the award is for the best player, there's no doubt. It's already spoken for; the statistics prove it. As long as he's on a football pitch, it's hard to argue that he doesn't deserve it."
Scaloni, who hinted his tenure as Argentina coach was over following the loss in the World Cup final, said he is willing to negotiate an extension of his contract, which expires in December.
"We will talk -- there is every willingness to sit down," Scaloni told reporters after a training session at the national team complex in Ezeiza, ahead of friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso as well as Benin.
"There is certainly a desire to be here, but there are a lot of aspects we need to discuss with the president [of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia]."
Scaloni's remarks came after several Argentine national team players publicly called for him to stay, including the new captain, Cristian Romero, who is taking over the armband following the international retirement of Messi.
Scaloni is the architect of the most successful era in Argentine history, featuring a World Cup title (2022) and two Copa América victories (2021 and 2024)
He indicated he would speak with Tapia in the coming days.
"It's a dream come true, but that doesn't mean I have to cling to the job forever. There are certain conditions we need to discuss with the president, and we'll see if we can reach an agreement," he added.
When asked whether the renewal depended on financial or sporting factors, the coach replied, "A bit of everything."
Argentina will face Bolivia on Sept. 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba province and will then take on Burkina Faso and Benin on Oct. 3 and 6, respectively, at the Monumental Stadium.
Scaloni used the squad selection for the upcoming friendlies to begin the transition following the retirements of Messi, defender Nicolás Otamendi, and other players.
"These matches are an opportunity for the young players to make their mark. If these youngsters are here, it's because they deserve it. I hope they make the most of it," the coach said.
The new call-ups include defenders Tomás Palacios (Estudiantes), Román Vega (Zenit), and Valentín Gómez (Betis); midfielders Tobías Andrada (River Plate), Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen), and Santiago Simón (Toluca, Mexico); and winger Leonel Flores (Boca Juniors).
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.