The AFA has scheduled three friendly matches in Argentina, with the first match taking place on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba against Bolivia. The remaining two matches will be held at the River Plate stadium on October 3 against Burkina Faso and October 6 against Benín. The fact that the last two matches are scheduled to take place at the iconic River Plate stadium, also known as the Monumental, has sparked hopes that Messi might be present for at least one of them, and possibly both.
While Messi's presence is not officially confirmed, the AFA is working on the assumption that he will be able to return for a farewell match in the country. The people of Argentina have been homaging Messi with a minute's applause at the next match after his retirement announcement, and this farewell match would be a more significant and emotional occasion.