Messi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina With Goal, Two Assists in 3-0 Win Over Benin

Lionel Messi brought his Argentina career to an emotional close on Tuesday, delivering a goal and two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 in an international friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

More than 85,000 fans packed the stadium to witness Messi’s final appearance for the national team after 21 years. The 39-year-old captain was involved in all three goals as Argentina turned the farewell into a memorable night.

The match was Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina, extending his record as the country’s most-capped player. He also finished his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 126 goals.

After a goalless first half, Argentina opened the scoring shortly after the restart. Messi’s corner was met by veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, who headed the ball into the net in the 48th minute.

Messi then set up Nicolás Paz for Argentina’s second goal in the 61st minute, with the young midfielder finishing with his left foot.

Nine minutes later, Messi completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Agustín Giay was fouled inside the area. The goal prompted another huge celebration from the Monumental crowd and took his international tally to 126.

The occasion, however, was about much more than the scoreline.

Messi entered the stadium to huge cheers from supporters before later walking onto the pitch with his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. He became emotional during the Argentine national anthem as the crowd prepared to celebrate the final chapter of his international career.

A giant Argentina jersey bearing the number 10 and the word “Gracias” was displayed on the pitch, while the match was briefly paused during the 10th minute to allow supporters to give Messi a standing ovation.

After the final whistle, teammates, members of the coaching staff and Benin players gathered around the Argentina captain to embrace him. A drone display and musical performances followed as the celebrations continued inside the stadium.

Messi told the crowd that representing Argentina for more than two decades had been a source of enormous pride and said he would miss being part of the national team.

His international journey began in 2005 and included years of disappointment before he finally led Argentina to major honours, including the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also won the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa América with the national team.

Messi’s farewell also marked the end of an international career shared with another veteran, Nicolás Otamendi, who scored Argentina’s opening goal in what was also his final appearance for the national team.

For Argentina, the 3-0 victory provided a fitting ending to Messi’s time in the famous blue-and-white shirt. For the captain, it was a final performance filled with goals, assists, tears and a stadium-wide tribute to one of the most influential players in the country’s football history.