Lionel Messi turned his farewell to international football into a gala performance, scoring a penalty and assisting Argentina's other two goals in a 3-0 win over Benin on Tuesday night at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old wore the Argentina shirt for the 208th and final time, extending his records as the national team's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer with 126 international goals.
In front of more than 85,000 fans, Messi created the opener in the 48th minute when veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi headed in his corner kick, then set up young midfielder Nico Paz for the second in the 61st minute. Ten minutes later, Messi buried a left-foot penalty for his final Argentina goal as the crowd chanted his name.
The night was heavy with ceremony. The referee paused the match in the 10th minute to honour the captain, and opponents joined teammates in applause. Messi took the field alongside his three children, a giant "Gracias" jersey was laid out on the pitch before kick-off, and the team bus had earlier crawled through crowds of well-wishers on the way to the stadium.
"The saddest day of my career"
An emotional Messi addressed the crowd from the centre of the pitch: "I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all. I would love to keep coming back forever, because playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."
"Now, inevitably, I face the saddest day of my career: saying goodbye to the national team," he added. "When we're united, we're stronger than anyone and can overcome anything."
Messi announced his international retirement in August following Argentina's World Cup defeat to Spain, but accepted one final call-up for a send-off in front of his home fans. He closes a 21-year international career that included the 2022 World Cup triumph and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Sources:
- The Hindu — Messi retires from international football as Argentina defeat Benin in friendly match (October 7, 2026)
- USA Today — Watch: Messi scores for Argentina in final international game (October 6, 2026)
The 39-year-old wore the Argentina shirt for the 208th and final time, extending his records as the national team's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer with 126 international goals.
In front of more than 85,000 fans, Messi created the opener in the 48th minute when veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi headed in his corner kick, then set up young midfielder Nico Paz for the second in the 61st minute. Ten minutes later, Messi buried a left-foot penalty for his final Argentina goal as the crowd chanted his name.
The night was heavy with ceremony. The referee paused the match in the 10th minute to honour the captain, and opponents joined teammates in applause. Messi took the field alongside his three children, a giant "Gracias" jersey was laid out on the pitch before kick-off, and the team bus had earlier crawled through crowds of well-wishers on the way to the stadium.
"The saddest day of my career"
An emotional Messi addressed the crowd from the centre of the pitch: "I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all. I would love to keep coming back forever, because playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."
"Now, inevitably, I face the saddest day of my career: saying goodbye to the national team," he added. "When we're united, we're stronger than anyone and can overcome anything."
Messi announced his international retirement in August following Argentina's World Cup defeat to Spain, but accepted one final call-up for a send-off in front of his home fans. He closes a 21-year international career that included the 2022 World Cup triumph and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Sources:
- The Hindu — Messi retires from international football as Argentina defeat Benin in friendly match (October 7, 2026)
- USA Today — Watch: Messi scores for Argentina in final international game (October 6, 2026)
