'A player like him deserves this' – Scaloni pushed for Messi's Argentina farewell

Lionel Scaloni revealed he did everything in his power to ensure Lionel Messi would return to the Argentina national team one more time for a farewell match. 

Messi announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, bringing an end to a glittering career with his country. 

He retires as Argentina's all-time leading appearance-maker (207) and scorer (125), while also captaining his country to the World Cup in 2022 and two Copa America crowns. 

The 39-year-old has played more games (34), registered more goal involvements (33) and laid on more assists (12) than any other player in World Cup history, while only Kylian Mbappe (22) has bettered his 21 goals at FIFA's flagship tournament.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also leads the all-time World Cup charts for shots (140), shots on target (64), chances created (99) and dribbles (250). 

However, Messi was called up to Scaloni's latest Argentina squad, and he will play one final time against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6.

"I ​believe that a player like him deserves this. Personally, I did my part ​because I wanted to be at his farewell," Scaloni told reporters. 

"Since I don't know if I would be here later, we pushed hard so that he could ​be in this match.

"We knew everything he was going through and ​even so, he put in the desire and effort to want to come and ‌be able ⁠to say goodbye to the people who love him so much.

"If we have to pay tribute, we have to do it at this moment. With him, it will never stop, but later, the magic ​might not be ​the same."

Messi was pivotal to Argentina's first World Cup success since 1986 in 2022, scoring twice in their penalty shoot-out win against France following a 3-3 draw in normal time.

He followed that up with a sensational tournament this summer, scoring eight goals, including his first-ever World Cup hat-trick against Algeria. 

"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 added.

"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.

"After the World Cup he just played, there isn't much more to add. 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."

With Messi's international future already decided, the same cannot be said for Scaloni, whose contract will run out this December. 

Asked if he had received an update on his ​future, ⁠Scaloni said he would meet with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia in the coming days.

"It is a dream come true, but that doesn't mean I ⁠have to ​cling to the job forever," Scaloni said. 

"There are certain conditions we need to discuss with the president, and we'll see if we ​can reach an agreement."