Lionel Messi brought down the curtain on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, October 7, scoring a goal and providing two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in his 208th and final appearance for the national team.
The 39-year-old forward played before a packed Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where fans had billed the occasion as “the last tango” for Argentina’s iconic No. 10.
Messi delivered a fitting final performance, setting up Argentina’s opening goal in the 48th minute when his corner found Nicolás Otamendi, who headed the ball into the net.
He then provided the assist for Nico Paz’s curling strike before converting a penalty in the 71st minute, sending the ball into the top corner and sparking wild celebrations among the 85,000 fans in attendance.
The goal was Messi’s 126th for Argentina, extending his record as the country’s all-time leading international scorer.
Play was briefly stopped in the 10th minute as fans and players from both sides paid tribute to Messi, who wore the famous No. 10 shirt for the final time.
After the final whistle, a drone display lit up the Buenos Aires sky with images from Messi’s international career, including his defining moment of lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022.
Speaking to the emotional crowd and his tearful teammates, Messi described representing Argentina as the greatest honour of his career.
“Now, inevitably, I face the saddest day of my career: saying goodbye to the national team. Goodbye to all of you. I’m going to miss you; I’m going to miss defending the national team’s colours, but now I’ll be right there alongside you, supporting these guys and everyone who comes after them. Always, always united,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s record holder for both appearances and goals.
His international career included two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup, ending years of frustration after Argentina had lost the 2014 World Cup final and two Copa América finals.
He also made a record-equalling six World Cup appearances, scoring 21 goals in the tournament and becoming one of its most decorated players.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the challenge of moving on without the captain, saying new players would emerge but Messi’s presence could not be replaced.
Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in the United States, but his departure marks the end of one of the most celebrated international careers in football history.
