Argentine legend Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his extraordinary international career in fitting fashion, scoring a goal and providing two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell match at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
In front of more than 85,000 supporters, Messi delivered one final masterclass in the famous blue and white shirt before saying goodbye to the Argentina national team after 21 years of international football.
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The occasion was billed as Messi’s final appearance for Argentina, and the 39-year-old ensured the night would be remembered for much more than the result.
Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player was directly involved in all three goals, helping the hosts turn the second half into a celebration of his remarkable career.
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Messi assists Otamendi in emotional farewell
After a goalless first half, Argentina finally broke Benin’s resistance in the 48th minute, with veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi converting from close range after Messi delivered the decisive ball from a corner.
The goal carried extra significance, as Otamendi also brought his international career to a close alongside his long-time teammate.
The pair shared four World Cups and 17 years with Argentina, making the opening goal an emotional moment for two veterans who had experienced some of the country’s greatest triumphs together.
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Messi was not finished, as in the 61st minute, he turned provider again, setting up Nico Paz to double Argentina’s advantage and underline the attacking influence he had maintained throughout his international career.
Paz, one of the young players expected to play an important role in Argentina’s next chapter, became the latest beneficiary of Messi’s creativity as the transition to a new generation began in front of a packed Monumental.
Messi scores one final Argentina goal
The moment everyone inside the stadium had been waiting for arrived in the 71st minute.
After Agustín Giay was fouled inside the penalty area, Argentina were awarded a spot-kick, and there was little doubt about who would take responsibility.
Messi stepped up and calmly converted to make it 3-0, sending the Monumental into another deafening celebration.
It was his 126th international goal for Argentina, extending his own national scoring record, and the perfect final touch to a career that has produced countless memorable moments in the famous shirt.
The goal also completed a remarkable personal contribution on his final night: one goal and two assists.
Tears, tributes and a final goodbye
While Messi’s performance was fittingly brilliant, the emotion surrounding the occasion was just as significant as the play on the pitch.
The Argentina captain had already been visibly moved before kick-off, struggling to contain his tears during the national anthem as the Monumental rose to celebrate him.
His three children, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, also took part in the farewell ceremony, while Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from the stands.
A giant Argentina shirt carrying Messi’s famous No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was displayed before the match. At the same time, the stadium remained packed with supporters eager to witness the final chapter of an era.
The Giant Shirt
Argentina’s World Cup-winning generations from 1978, 1986 and 2022 were also represented at the Monumental as the country came together to celebrate the player who delivered the biggest prizes of his career to the national team.
At the final whistle, teammates and opponents gathered around Messi before he took one final lap of honour.
The stadium erupted into chants of “Messi, Messi” as a drone display illuminated the night sky and singer Soledad Pastorutti performed as part of the tribute to the departing captain.
Messi leaves Argentina with historic numbers
Messi’s final appearance took his Argentina record to 208 caps and 126 goals, leaving him as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.
His international career began in 2005 and eventually delivered the trophies that had once seemed beyond his reach with Argentina.
He won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América, while also reaching nine international finals with Argentina.
For years, Messi’s relationship with the Argentina national team was complicated by heartbreak in major finals and criticism over his performances in the national shirt.
READ ALSO: Messi announces retirement from international football
But the Copa América triumph in 2021 changed the narrative. The World Cup victory in Qatar a year later completed the story, with Messi finally lifting the trophy that had eluded him throughout much of his career.
On Tuesday night, there was no debate, no pressure and no expectation that he had to rescue Argentina. For once, the country came together to celebrate him.
Speaking to the crowd after the match, an emotional Messi admitted that leaving the national team would hurt.
“It’s hard to talk,” Messi said. “There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head.”
He reflected on the privilege of wearing the Argentina shirt for more than two decades.
“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years,” he added.
“Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”
The farewell could hardly have been scripted better.
A victory, three goals, one final Messi strike, two assists, a packed Monumental and tears from a player who carried Argentina’s hopes for more than two decades.
After the final whistle, Argentina was no longer asking Messi to deliver as they did before his first international retirement.
All the country was saying now is gracias to the man who had given his all for the shirt, with nothing more left.
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