Buenos Aires, October 7
Lionel Messi has brought his 21-year international career to an emotional end, making his final appearance for Argentina in front of more than 85,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old captain signed off in style, scoring once and providing two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a match that was as much a celebration of Messi’s career as it was a football fixture.
Playing his record 208th international for Argentina, Messi set up veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi for the opening goal before Nico Paz doubled the lead. Messi then completed the farewell in the 71st minute, converting a penalty for his 126th international goal.
The occasion had been billed as “The Last Tango”, and the emotional significance of the night was evident long before kick-off.
Messi wiped away tears as the Argentina team bus made its way through streets packed with supporters. He later walked onto the pitch with his three children, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia Cuccittini watched from the VIP box.
A giant Argentina shirt bearing Messi’s famous No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was laid out on the pitch before the match, prompting a huge roar from the crowd.
Messi became emotional again during the national anthem as Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana performed alongside a banner reading “The Malvinas are Argentine.”
The match was stopped in the 10th minute in honour of Messi’s iconic shirt number, with the entire stadium joining in a minute-long ovation.
But the biggest moment came in the 71st minute, when Messi stepped up to take a penalty and scored to complete his final international appearance.
‘I gave it my all’
At the final whistle, the celebrations continued as a drone show lit up the sky above the Monumental, forming an image of Messi and paying tribute to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” Messi told the crowd after the match.
“Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”
Despite the emotion, Messi said he had no regrets about his decision.
“Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through,” he said.
His farewell came around two and a half months after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain 1-0 in New Jersey. Messi left that match in tears after a difficult performance.
“I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote after that defeat.
The end of an era
Messi’s journey with Argentina has spanned more than two decades, taking him from a young player carrying enormous expectations to the captain who finally delivered the World Cup.
He led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América title before guiding the team to victory at the 2022 World Cup, ending the country’s 36-year wait for a third world title.
Argentina also won the Copa América again in 2024.
During Messi’s international career, Argentina won one World Cup, finished runners-up in 2014 and 2026, and claimed two Copa América titles.
Before his final match, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate at a ceremony held at the Argentine Football Association headquarters.
“To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!” Messi joked after receiving the honour.
Outside the AFA headquarters, supporters displayed a giant Argentine flag featuring Messi’s image and the words “The joy of my life.”
Former Barcelona teammate Neymar also paid tribute to Messi on X.
“It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more,” Neymar wrote.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, meaning his retirement from international football does not necessarily mark the end of his playing career.
However, following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, Messi has suggested that he could also bring his club career to an end earlier than expected.
For Argentina, though, the farewell at the Monumental marked the closing chapter of one of the country’s most celebrated football careers.
After 21 years, 208 appearances, 126 goals and a World Cup triumph, Messi has finally said goodbye to the Argentina shirt.
