Messi Bows Out of Argentina Football With Goal and Two Assists Against Benin

Lionel Messi brought his remarkable international career with Argentina to an emotional close as he scored one goal and provided two assists in a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The farewell match, played on Tuesday, marked Messi’s 208th and final appearance for Argentina after 21 years representing the national team. The 39 year old captain was directly involved in all three goals as thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate one of the greatest careers in international football.

Argentina took the lead shortly after half-time when Messi delivered a corner that Nicolás Otamendi converted to make it 1-0. Messi then turned provider again in the 61st minute, setting up Nico Paz for Argentina’s second goal. He completed the scoring himself in the 71st minute, calmly converting a penalty to register his 126th international goal for Argentina.

More than 85,000 supporters packed the Monumental Stadium for the occasion, with the match taking on the atmosphere of a national celebration. Messi became emotional before and during the game, while fans paid tribute to his more than two decades in Argentina colours. The farewell included a special tribute to the number 10 shirt, while the match was briefly paused in the 10th minute for supporters to applaud Messi.

After the final whistle, a drone display lit up the night sky as teammates, opponents and fans celebrated the Argentina captain. Messi also spoke emotionally about what representing his country had meant to him. “I’m proud to be Argentine,” Messi told the crowd, reflecting on his long journey with the national team.

Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s most capped player and record goalscorer, with 208 appearances and 126 goals. His international career included two Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a triumph that helped transform his relationship with Argentine supporters after years of intense criticism.

His final international appearance also marked the end of an era for fellow veteran Nicolás Otamendi, who scored in the farewell match. Although Messi has retired from Argentina duty, he is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami. His departure from the national team closes a 21-year chapter that included major trophies, record breaking numbers and some of the most memorable moments in Argentina’s football history.