Lionel Messi closed the chapter on his Argentina career in front of an adoring Estadio Monumental crowd, scoring in a 3-0 victory over Benin before telling supporters that his 21-year international journey had finally come to an end.
The 39-year-old converted a 71st-minute penalty to cap an emotional evening centred on Argentina’s greatest player, who announced his international retirement in August after leading the Albiceleste to the 2026 World Cup final.
Messi had already secured his place in Argentina’s football history by guiding the country to the 2022 World Cup, their first global title since Diego Maradona’s triumph in 1986. Two Copa América victories around that success further strengthened his legacy.
Tuesday’s farewell brought together generations of teammates who had shared the journey with him.
Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez were among those on the pitch, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was called upon to prevent Benin from taking the lead. Former teammates Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero watched from the sidelines alongside Messi’s mother and wife.
The most personal moment came before kick-off, when Messi’s three sons walked onto the pitch with their father as the stadium erupted in chants of his name.
Argentina will now have to begin life without the player who has carried the No. 10 shirt for more than two decades. Yet the victory also offered supporters a glimpse of what could come next.
Nico Paz, a 22-year-old left-footer, scored Argentina’s second goal with a composed finish after Messi had helped create the opener for Nicolas Otamendi from a corner in the 48th minute.
Messi’s final international appearance brought his Argentina record to 207 caps, 126 goals and 69 assists. He is expected to return to club action with Inter Miami on Saturday when they host D.C. United.
After a drone show and a performance from Argentine folk singer Soledad Pastorutti, Messi addressed the crowd and reflected on the significance of the occasion.
He said he was grateful for everything Argentina had given him, while admitting that he wished his late father could have been present to witness his farewell.
Messi also used the occasion to reject claims that Argentina’s run to the 2022 World Cup final had been helped by refereeing or FIFA.
“The last World Cup, we were very close and honestly nothing weird happened like people say. We gave everything,” Messi said, recalling the team’s campaign.
He insisted that every generation of Argentina teammates had given everything for the national shirt, whether they won or fell short.
“We couldn’t be champions. We were close, but I have no doubt that all teammates I played with always gave everything for this shirt,” he said.
For Argentina, there may never be another Messi. But after 21 years, 207 appearances and 126 goals, the country can only begin to look forward while appreciating the extraordinary era that has just ended.
