Serie A clubs on edge over Messi's departure from the national team

On October 6, at 10 p.m., Lionel Messi will wear the Argentina national team shirt for the last time in a friendly against Benin, a match that carries no points but marks the end of an era. The event, awaited by millions of fans, will take place just a few hours before the upcoming Serie A fixtures.

The dilemma of Serie A clubs

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has already expressed reservations about releasing Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martínez, invited but not called up, for the farewell evening. The yellow‑and‑red side, which already has Balerdi, Soulé and Castro in the national team, risks losing three Argentines within a few days.

The schedule foresees the players' return to Rome on Thursday, with the match against Como set for Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Lazio as well, with Nico Paz, will have to deal with the same absentee issue.

Inter, led by Simone Inzaghi, will play on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at San Siro against Parma, while three hours earlier Fiorentina will face Genoa at Marassi with Lautaro Martínez and Andrea Mastantuono, who will have only one training session.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Alvaro Chivu grants an extra rest day to the South American players, jeopardising the preparation of the Bull for the clash against Torino, with no training. Nico González, on the other hand, will see Juventus in Cagliari on Sunday evening.

Messi's farewell and the upcoming friendlies

Before the October 6 match, Messi will make a formal farewell on the following Wednesday in a friendly against Benin, thus closing his international career with two farewell matches.

With the captain's departure, the Albiceleste will have to face two commitments without its most powerful “exit card”, a challenge that experts describe as impossible to fill.