Lionel Messi has officially brought his remarkable international career with Argentina to an end after helping the country defeat Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old captain produced a fitting final performance, scoring one goal and providing two assists as more than 85,000 supporters gathered to celebrate one of the greatest careers in football history.
Messi’s final appearance marked the end of a 21-year journey with the Argentine national team. He made his record-extending 208th appearance for Argentina and finished as the country’s all-time leading scorer with 126 international goals.
The match began with an emotional atmosphere as supporters filled the stadium to honour the captain. The occasion was treated less like an ordinary friendly and more like a national celebration of Messi’s contribution to Argentine football.
After a goalless first half, Argentina took the lead through veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi. Messi delivered the assist, allowing his long-time teammate to score.
Messi then created another goal for Nico Paz, one of the young players being tipped as a possible successor to Argentina’s famous number 10 shirt.
The final moment belonged to Messi himself. He converted a penalty to put Argentina 3-0 ahead, scoring what became his final international goal. The goal was his 126th for the national team.
When the final whistle sounded, Messi was surrounded by teammates, opponents and officials. The crowd gave him a prolonged ovation as he said goodbye to the shirt he had worn for more than two decades.
Speaking after the match, Messi became emotional while reflecting on his time with Argentina. He also remembered his father, Jorge Messi, whose recent death added another emotional dimension to the farewell.
Messi said representing Argentina had been an enormous source of pride and admitted that not returning to the national team would be painful.
His international career included some of the biggest achievements in Argentine football. He helped Argentina win the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
His journey was not always easy. Messi experienced several painful defeats with Argentina before eventually leading the team to major international trophies.
The farewell in Buenos Aires therefore represented the closing of a remarkable chapter. From the young player who struggled under the weight of expectations to the captain who eventually delivered major trophies, Messi leaves Argentina as one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures.
The Argentine Football Association also described the victory over Benin as a special occasion dedicated to Messi’s farewell.
For Argentine supporters, the night was ultimately about gratitude. Messi’s final game ended with a victory, a goal, two assists and an emotional goodbye to the national team.
