Argentina are reportedly finalizing friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin for October, potential farewell matches for Lionel Messi with the national team following this year's World Cup. Argentina are reportedly closing in on a set of friendlies for October’s international window that could see Lionel Messi and the national team face Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin, according to ESPN journalist Esteban Edul. The matches are being discussed as potential farewell games for Messi following his time with the senior national team after this year’s World Cup, though nothing has been officially confirmed by the AFA or the player himself. The reported schedule has Argentina facing Bolivia on September 30, followed by Burkina Faso on October 3, with a possible third match against Benin, currently ranked 93rd in the FIFA rankings, on October 6. The AFA is said to be negotiating all three fixtures as part of the same international window, with venues under consideration including El Monumental in Buenos Aires, the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba, and a possible match in Rosario. Lionel Messi and teammates celebrate with World Cup replicas at Estadio El Monumental. (Getty Images) With Messi already having confirmed his retirement from the national team, what remains uncertain is whether these friendlies will actually serve as his long-awaited farewell in front of Argentine fans. A series of home matches against lower-ranked opposition would give the AFA the perfect opportunity to give him that proper send-off, while also using the games to start looking ahead to the next generation of the national team. Argentina want friendlies to be recognized as Category A The federation has reportedly also consulted FIFA to ensure the friendlies are classified as Category A matches, a designation that would allow several suspended Argentina players to begin serving bans they picked up following incidents at the 2026 World Cup. Locking in that classification is seen as a key step before any of the fixtures can be finalized. The suspensions stem from the fallout surrounding Argentina’s run to the final, when FIFA handed down sanctions to several members of the squad and coaching staff for their conduct in the tournament’s closing stages. Leandro Paredes received the harshest penalty of the group, a 10-match ban, while Nahuel Molina was hit with a seven-match suspension of his own. Thiago Almada picked up a shorter one-match sanction, and even assistant coach Roberto Ayala was not spared, receiving a three-match ban along with a fine. Without Category A status, none of those suspensions could begin to count down, since FIFA only recognizes bans as served in matches that meet that classification threshold.
The Reds, who are six-time European champions, were knocked out of the Champions League last season 4-0 on aggregate by eventual winners PSG. It has been a turbulent summer for Atletico Madrid, with the saga surrounding Julian Alvarez's future dominating much of the discussion.
Liverpool and Atletico Madrid clash in one of the most compelling fixtures of Matchday 1 in the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League, and here is all the information you need to watch the match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid on US television and via legal streaming: WHO: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid WHAT: UEFA Champions League WHEN: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT • Wednesday, September 9, 2026 WHERE:Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, ViX STREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Liverpool kicks off its 2026/27 Champions League campaign at Anfield, aiming to set a dominant tone under new head coach Andoni Iraola. After an unbeaten but inconsistent start to the Premier League season, the Reds are looking to translate their domestic scoring form, which has seen them net six goals in three games, into European success. A recent 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town has spirits high, and the famous Anfield atmosphere on a European night adds an undeniable sense of urgency for a statement win. Atletico Madrid arrives on Merseyside looking to rebound from a stinging 3-0 defeat to Athletic Club in La Liga. For manager Diego Simeone, this match is a crucial test of his squad’s resilience and tactical discipline. Known for their grit in Europe, Los Rojiblancos will be determined to frustrate Liverpool and avenge their dramatic 3-2 loss at this same venue in last season’s competition. The stakes are high for both clubs in this compelling Group Stage opener. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The two clubs enter this fixture on different trajectories. Liverpool is still adapting to Iraola’s system, having secured two draws and a win in the Premier League. While the attack has been potent, defensive questions remain, though a first clean sheet of the season against Ipswich was a positive step. In contrast, Atletico Madrid started their La Liga season with seven points from three games before their momentum was abruptly halted by a comprehensive loss, raising concerns about their consistency. The tactical battle will likely pit Liverpool’s high-possession, pressing style against Atletico’s trademark defensive organization. The Reds average over 61% possession and will aim to control the tempo, using quick transitions to break down a compact Atletico shape. Simeone’s side will look to absorb pressure, remain disciplined in a low block, and exploit any space left behind Liverpool’s advancing full-backs with swift counter-attacks, making the midfield contest for control absolutely critical. For Liverpool, the motivation is to make a strong start in Europe’s elite competition and prove their credentials under new leadership. For Atletico, this is an opportunity to prove their mettle after a demoralizing domestic result. A positive result at Anfield would reaffirm their status as a formidable European force, while a loss could compound recent doubts surrounding a squad navigating key defensive and offensive personnel changes. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, this has been a closely contested fixture, but recent trends favor the English side. In ten competitive meetings, Liverpool holds a slight edge with five wins to Atletico Madrid’s three, with two matches ending in a draw. This record underscores the competitive nature of their encounters over the years, though Liverpool has seized control of the rivalry lately. Liverpool enters this match on a four-game winning streak against Atletico. This dominant run includes a thrilling 3-2 victory at Anfield in September 2025, a 2-0 home win in November 2021, and a 3-2 victory in Madrid just weeks earlier. This psychological advantage could play a significant role, as the Reds have consistently found ways to overcome Simeone’s tactical setups in recent seasons. Data from their recent clashes points towards an entertaining match. The last five meetings have produced an average of 3.6 goals per game, indicating a
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