MANCHESTER, England — The last chance to see Lionel Messi play for Argentina. Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane in action again before the Ballon d’Or is announced. Cristiano Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of 1,000 career goals and Erling Haaland, no doubt, doing Erling Haaland things. International soccer is back after the World Cup and soccer’s biggest stars are ready to do it all again. Messi, who announced his retirement from the national team this month, is slated to make his farewell with one last appearance in the Oct. 6 friendly game against Benin in Buenos Aires. The man many 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 ended in bitter defeat. At the age of 39, it was widely expected 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 give him the opportunity to bow out in style. The president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, said it would be “the farewell he deserves.” Ballon d’Or contenders While Messi is saying his goodbyes, the next generation of stars are fiercely competing to take his place as the world’s best. Mbappé, Yamal and Kane are among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, which is based on performances up to and including the World Cup. But this international window is another opportunity for those frontrunners to show their talents. Messi is also among the nominees. The rivalry between Mbappé and Yamal echoes Messi’s great battles with Ronaldo. With Mbappé at Real Madrid and Yamal at Barcelona, it pits Spain’s two most famous and successful clubs against each other once again in the race for the Ballon d’Or. For more than a decade it was Messi of Barcelona and Ronaldo of Madrid who turned soccer’s biggest individual award into what seemed like a personal duel. Yamal, who won the World Cup with Spain as well as the Spanish title with Barcelona, is still just 19 years old and already considered among the best. “When you’re talking about so many great players, ultimately, people look at things like: ‘Well, this one is better than that one, but maybe the other guy won this or that trophy.’ The advantage I have is that I managed to win the World Cup this year, and naturally, that gives me an edge. I think that’s logical,” he told L’Equipe. Mbappe did not win a second World Cup, but he did set a new record as the highest scorer in tournament history with 22 goals. As for Kane, he was awarded the golden shoe as Europe’s top scorer last season and has continued that form with six goals in seven appearances this term. England plays world champion Spain at Wembley in the Nations League on Saturday. France plays for the first time under new head coach Zinedine Zidane with the pick of its games coming against Italy in the Nations League Oct. 2. Ronaldo’s pursuit He may have missed out on his last chance to win the World Cup, but Ronaldo’s pursuit of another landmark achievement goes on. The Saudi Pro League announced his 979th career goal earlier this month and the Portugal great is edging ever closer to the 1,000-mark. He would be the first player to officially hit that total. The 41-year-old Ronaldo was included in Portugal’s squad by new coach Jorge Jesus for its upcoming Nations League games. Another player relentlessly chasing down goals is Haaland, who made new fans around the world with his performances and social media antics at the World Cup. He has started this season in devastating form with seven goals in his last five games to help Manchester City to a 100 per cent winning run. Superstar coaches The star appeal will not be limited to the pitch. A raft of coaching changes have seen some of the biggest names in soccer take over national teams. Three-time Champions League-winning coach Zidane has succeeded Didier Deschamps with France. Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp is in charge of Germany after another early exit from the World Cup. They join serial winning coaches like Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil) and Thomas Tuchel (England) by leaving the club game for international soccer. Zidane is the only coach to win three straight Champions League titles and France will hope he can be just as successful with the national team. Klopp answered Germany’s SOS after it failed to reach the last 16 of a men’s World Cup for the third time in a row. But he delivered a spiky news conference when unveiled in July — immediately threatening to resign. He said he would be prepared to leave without any severance pay if it doesn’t work out, or if criticism becomes overwhelming, and said he would resign if the media doesn’t “leave my family in peace.” One coaching great who resisted the temptation to join the international influx was Pep Guardiola despite being a reported target for Italy. Instead Roberto Mancini is back in charge of the Italian national team, which he led to triumph at Euro 2020. Not that he is relying on that to ease any pressure on him. “I’m not in credit because that’s in the past, it doesn’t count for anything,” Mancini said. ___ James Robson, The Associated Press
