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Lionel Messi has brought his extraordinary Argentina career to an emotional close, scoring in his final international appearance as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 at a packed Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old captain played his 208th and final match for Argentina, scoring from the penalty spot and providing two assists as Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz also found the net.
More than 85,000 supporters packed the Monumental to witness the end of Messi’s remarkable 21-year international career.
The farewell was filled with fireworks, music, tributes, lights and a spectacular drone show, turning the friendly into a national celebration of one of football’s greatest-ever players.
“I Leave Grateful, Proud and at Peace”
After the final whistle, an emotional Messi addressed the crowd for nearly 10 minutes.
With tears in his eyes, the Argentina captain reflected on what the national team shirt had meant to him and remembered his late father, Jorge, who recently died aged 68 after a long illness.
“There are so many emotions going through me right now,” Messi said.
“The first person who comes to my mind is my dad.
“I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.”
Messi admitted that he did not want the moment to end and said walking away from the national team would be painful.
“I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is,” he said.
A Perfect Final Chapter
The farewell could hardly have been scripted better.
Argentina led 1-0 after Otamendi converted a Messi assist. Messi then set up Nico Paz for the second before completing the scoring himself from the penalty spot.
The goal was Messi’s 126th for Argentina, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer. He also finished as Argentina’s most-capped player with 208 appearances.
The night began with Messi visibly emotional during the national anthem. His three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, were also present during the pre-match ceremony as the Monumental paid tribute to their father.
A giant Argentina shirt bearing Messi’s iconic No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was also displayed as fans celebrated the player who delivered some of the greatest moments in the country’s football history.
From Difficult Beginnings to Immortal Status
Messi’s international career began in August 2005 against Hungary.
His debut was far from perfect. He came on as a substitute and was sent off less than a minute later after catching Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczak with his arm.
What followed, however, was more than two decades of extraordinary achievement.
Messi became Argentina’s record goalscorer and appearance holder while leading the national team to two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup. He also won the 2022 Finalissima and became the central figure in one of the greatest eras in Argentine football.
His journey was not always celebrated.
For years, Messi faced intense criticism from sections of the Argentine public after losing major finals and failing to reproduce his Barcelona success consistently with the national team.
But the Copa América triumph in 2021 changed the relationship between Messi and Argentina.
The 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar completed the story.
Scaloni: “Nothing Will Be the Same”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to hold back his emotions after the match.
“It has been a dream come true. I never thought I would be the coach of the best footballer in history,” Scaloni said.
He described Messi’s legacy as incredible and said the experience of having him on the pitch was impossible to replace.
“The feeling of having him on your side is incomparable. I’ve never seen that aura in anyone else in my life,” Scaloni added.
Scaloni had previously revealed that he pushed for Messi to return for one final appearance because he wanted the Argentine icon to receive the farewell he deserved while the opportunity remained.
Neymar and De Paul Pay Tribute
Tributes poured in from across football.
Brazilian superstar Neymar, Messi’s former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate, said the entire football world owed him gratitude.
“It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football,” Neymar wrote.
Messi’s close friend and former Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul also described the profound influence Messi had on his life.
“He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person,” De Paul said. “I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father and a better friend.”
Former Argentina teammate Ángel Di María said Messi could leave the national team knowing he had given everything.
“Seeing him with so much happiness, and that tranquillity of knowing that he gave everything he had, is what makes us all happy,” Di María said. “I thank him for life.”
Argentina Says Goodbye to Its No. 10
Messi’s farewell marks the end of one of the longest and most successful international careers in football history.
He leaves Argentina with:
- 208 international appearances
- 126 international goals
- Two Copa América titles
- 2022 FIFA World Cup
- 2022 Finalissima
- Argentina’s all-time scoring record
- Argentina’s all-time appearance record
- Eight Ballon d’Or awards
His international career began with a difficult red card against Hungary and ended with a goal, two assists and a standing ovation from more than 85,000 Argentines.
Messi’s playing career is not over.
He will continue at club level with Inter Miami, where he remains under contract through the end of the 2028 season.
But for Argentina, the era of Lionel Messi has reached its final whistle.
After more than two decades of triumphs, heartbreak, criticism, tears and unforgettable victories, the country that once questioned him now says the only words that seem appropriate:
Gracias, Leo.
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