Lionel Messi is set to make a farewell appearance for Argentina on October 6, when the world champions face Benin in a home friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has invited Messi to take part in the match, which is expected to mark his final appearance for the national team after he announced his international retirement last month.

AFA president Claudio Tapia confirmed the invitation on social media, describing Messi as “the best player in the world”, an icon of the national team and its captain.

Argentina are scheduled to play three home friendlies during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6. They will begin with a match against Bolivia at Córdoba’s Mario Kempes Stadium on September 30 before hosting Burkina Faso in Buenos Aires on October 3.

The final match of the window will see Argentina take on Benin at the Monumental on October 6, with Messi invited to play in what is expected to be his farewell game.

The AFA also confirmed that Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso will be part of the squad for the final friendly. Players selected from the domestic league will be announced later.

Meanwhile, Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada remain suspended for their involvement in an altercation following the World Cup final against Spain. They must serve suspensions of 10, seven and one match respectively.

Argentina’s match against Bolivia will also be played at 50 per cent reduced stadium capacity as part of FIFA sanctions related to incidents during this year’s World Cup.