Messi set for Argentina farewell. Mbappé, Lamal and Ronaldo return after World Cup

MANCHESTER, England (AP) – The last chance to see Lionel Messi play for Argentina.

Key points

• Cristiano Ronaldo's relentless pursuit of 1, 000 career goals and Erling Haaland, no doubt, doing Erling Haaland things.
• Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane in action again before the Ballon d'Or is confirmed.
• The president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, remarked it would be "the farewell he deserves."
• International soccer is back after the World Cup and soccer's biggest stars are ready to do it all again.
• His dream of winning back-to-back tournaments and emulating Brazil great Pele concluded in bitter defeat.

Messi, who confirmed his retirement from the national team this month, is slated to produce his farewell with one last appearance in the Oct. 6 friendly game against Benin in Buenos Aires.

Notably, the man plenty of regard as the greatest player ever was in tears after Argentina relinquished its World Cup title with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium. His dream of winning back-to-back tournaments and emulating Brazil great Pele concluded in bitter defeat. At the age of 39, it was widely projected it would be his final tilt on soccer's biggest stage.

Messi's retirement came as little surprise – even after his outstanding performances at the World Cup – and a farewell in front of his home fans will offer him the opportunity to bow out in style.

Meanwhile, the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, remarked it would be "the farewell he deserves."

For now, messi set for Argentina farewell. Mbappé, Lamal and Ronaldo return after World remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.