Lionel Messi’s Argentina career is reaching its final chapter: after leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, the Argentine Football Association has called up the 39-year-old for a friendly against Benin on October 6 that it describes as his farewell. His legacy for young players is not just trophies but five skills anyone can practice: close control, changes of direction, scanning, passing and finishing.
Where Messi’s Argentina Story Stands in October 2026
Argentina came within one goal of back-to-back world titles this summer. Spain won the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute of extra time. Messi still had a tournament to remember. According to Al Jazeera, he scored eight goals with four assists and won the Silver Ball as the tournament’s second-best player, behind Spain’s Rodri. His goals included a hat trick against Algeria in Kansas City during the group stage.
Before the tournament, Messi had already said he would not play at the 2030 World Cup, according to the Buenos Aires Times. After the final, his international future was left open for weeks, with no official announcement from him or the federation.
That changed in September. As reported by The Associated Press, AFA president Claudio Tapia said the federation had invited Messi so that he could have “the farewell he deserves on October 6,” and planned to invite the 2022 World Cup-winning squad to attend. Coach Lionel Scaloni named Messi in a squad for three friendlies: Bolivia in Córdoba on September 30, Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6. Messi continues to play club soccer for Inter Miami in MLS.
As of early October 2026, the farewell match is the federation’s plan. Whether Messi will add any further comment about his international future is something fans will learn from him directly.
Why Messi Still Matters to Young Players
Messi was never the biggest or strongest player on the field. He became great because of what he did with the ball and his decisions without it. That is good news for any young player, because those skills can be trained. Here are five, each with a practical drill.
Skill 1: Close Control
Messi’s touches are small and frequent when defenders are near. The ball rarely travels more than a step from his foot, so he can change direction at any moment. Watch how he uses the outside and inside of his left foot almost equally. Our article on Lionel Messi’s touch on the soccer ball shows this in detail.
Drill: Cone Gate Dribble. Set up 10 pairs of cones (gates) about two feet wide in a 15×15-yard area. Dribble through as many gates as possible in 60 seconds, touching the ball on every step. Use only your weaker foot for one round. Rest 30 seconds and repeat four times, trying to beat your score.
Skill 2: Changes of Direction
Messi rarely beats players with tricks for show. He beats them by changing direction suddenly and then changing speed. The cut, the drag back and the stop-and-go are his favorites. He often slows down, invites the defender to commit, then accelerates away. See how he does it in Lionel Messi’s change of pace.
Drill: Mirror Cuts. Two players face each other across a 10-yard channel, one with the ball. The attacker dribbles side to side, trying to reach either end line. The defender mirrors. After every change of direction, the attacker must explode for two quick touches. Play 30-second rounds and switch roles.
Skill 3: Scanning
Messi is famous for walking during games. He is not simply resting; he is looking, reading where the space will open before he asks for the ball. When it arrives, he already knows his next action. Our feature on Messi’s vision explores this.
Drill: Color Call. Place four different colored cones around a player in the middle of a 10×10 square. A coach or parent stands behind the player and points to a color just before passing the ball in. The player must look over the shoulder, see the color, then receive and dribble out through that cone. Increase the speed as the player improves.
Skill 4: Passing
Messi’s assist numbers are almost as remarkable as his goals. His four assists at the 2026 World Cup were a reminder that he creates as well as scores. Watch how often he disguises a pass, shaping as if to dribble before releasing the ball. His best passes are usually short and simple: a slipped ball between defenders for a teammate running in behind.
Drill: Pass Through the Gate. Two players stand 15 yards apart with a small cone gate (about three feet wide) in the middle. Pass back and forth through the gate using the inside of the foot, then the outside of the foot. To add disguise, look at your partner’s right foot but pass to the left. Score a point for every clean pass. Aim for 20 in a row.
Skill 5: Finishing
Messi rarely blasts the ball. He places it, often low to the far post or with a chip over the goalkeeper. He also shoots early, before the defender can block. Composure, not power, is the lesson.
Drill: Dribble and Place. Start 25 yards from goal. Dribble at a cone (the defender), make a quick cut and shoot within two touches of the cut. Aim for the corners, marking them with cones or bibs if you have no goalkeeper. Take 10 shots with each foot. Track how many hit the target corner, not just the goal.
Putting It All Together
These five skills work best when trained together in small-sided games. A 3v3 or 4v4 game on a small field gives every player many more touches, 1v1 moments and finishing chances than a full-sized match. That is the heart of the Coerver Coaching approach: master the ball first, then use it with confidence in game-like situations.
A simple weekly plan could look like this:
- Day 1: Close control and changes of direction (Cone Gate Dribble, Mirror Cuts)
- Day 2: Scanning and passing (Color Call, Pass Through the Gate)
- Day 3: Finishing plus a small-sided game
Whatever happens after October 6, Messi’s two decades with Argentina leave a blueprint. Watch his old games with a purpose: count his touches, his glances and his changes of speed, then go and practice them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lionel Messi retiring from Argentina?
As of early October 2026, the Argentine Football Association has described the October 6 friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires as Messi’s farewell. Messi had already said he would not play at the 2030 World Cup.
How did Messi do at the 2026 World Cup?
He scored eight goals with four assists, led Argentina to the final and won the Silver Ball. Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
What is the best Messi skill for young players to learn first?
Close control. Small, frequent touches with both feet make every other skill, from changes of direction to finishing, easier to perform under pressure.
Want to pull off moves like these?
Coerver Moves breaks down the 1v1 moves the world’s best players use, step by step on video, so you can practise them at home and use them in games.
