Lionel Messi ended his international career with Argentina in emotional fashion, scoring from the penalty spot against Benin as Argentina secured a 3-0 victory in a friendly at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium.
The match marked Messi’s 208th and final international appearance for Argentina. The 39-year-old forward converted a second-half penalty to score his 126th international goal for the national team. He also provided assists for goals scored by Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz.
The occasion at the Monumental Stadium was also a farewell to one of the biggest figures in Argentine football. Around 85,000 spectators attended the match, with Messi taking the field in an Argentina shirt for the final time.
After the match, the stadium hosted a laser light show, live music and special performances in his honour. Messi addressed the supporters for around 10 minutes and appeared emotional on several occasions. Several Argentina players also struggled to contain their emotions during the speech, with some players, including Manchester City’s Enzo Fernández, seen crying.
Messi acknowledged that he did not want to leave the field, adding to the emotion surrounding the conclusion of his long international career.
Messi’s emotions were already visible before the match began. He was seen wiping away tears while travelling towards the stadium on the team bus. He also appeared emotional during Argentina’s national anthem, as thousands of supporters sang loudly in his honour.
Fireworks were set off inside the stadium before kick-off. A giant Argentina shirt was also placed on the pitch, featuring Messi’s famous number 10 and the Spanish word ‘Gracias’, meaning ‘Thank you’.
The match was briefly stopped in the 10th minute as another fireworks display took place and supporters stood to applaud Messi. Benin’s players also showed their respect, shaking hands with Messi as they joined the farewell to the Argentina great.
Play then resumed, with Messi again at the centre of Argentina’s attacking moves.
Messi displayed glimpses of his familiar style during the match and created several opportunities. Two of his free-kick attempts were saved by the Benin goalkeeper.
He also had two clear opportunities to score from inside the six-yard box but was unable to convert either chance. Towards the closing stages of the match, one of his shots struck the post.
Messi eventually received a penalty in the second half and converted it to complete his 126th international goal.
Messi’s international career with Argentina spanned nearly two decades. He made his debut for the national team in 2005, coming on in the 63rd minute of a friendly against Hungary. The debut became controversial rather than memorable after he was shown a red card less than a minute after entering the field.
Messi went on to establish himself among the most successful players in Argentina’s history.
Messi won the World Cup and two Copa América titles with Argentina. After a prolonged period without major trophies for the national team, Argentina secured major titles under his leadership.
Messi also set several records at the World Cup and is among the leading scorers in World Cup history. In international football, he is also among the players with the most goals, with his long-time rival and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him.
Messi publicly announced his decision to retire from international football with Argentina in August. He said the decision was not easy for him and had caused him pain, but he felt that the time had come.
According to Messi, he had written his retirement message on July 21. This was when Argentina had lost the World Cup final to Spain. His club career, however, will continue.
Following his departure from the Argentina national team, Messi will now focus on club football. He plays for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami and has a contract with the club through the end of the 2028 season.
This means fans will continue to see one of the world’s most popular footballers playing at club level in the coming years.
Several of Messi’s current and former teammates paid tribute to him on social media before his farewell. Brazil star Neymar, who played alongside Messi at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, said that not only Argentina but the entire football world was grateful for Messi’s contribution to the sport.
Neymar described playing alongside Messi as an honour and said that playing with him helped him develop an even greater appreciation for football.
Messi’s close friend and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul also praised him, saying Messi had helped him become not only a better footballer but also a better person, father and friend.
Former Argentina player Ángel Di María also recalled Messi’s contribution and said he was happy to see Messi had given everything with his full ability.
The match against Benin marked the end of Messi’s long chapter with the Argentina national team. The player who began his international career with a red card ended it nearly two decades later with a World Cup, two Copa América titles and a long list of individual records.
The presence of thousands of supporters at the Monumental Stadium, the tears of teammates, fireworks and Messi’s emotional speech made the night one of the memorable moments in Argentine football.
Messi’s farewell from the national team is complete, but his club career continues. His contract with Inter Miami will keep him on the pitch in the coming years.
