Lionel Messi brought his Argentina career to an emotional close in Buenos Aires, scoring in his final international appearance as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 in a friendly.
The 39-year-old made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina, converting a second-half penalty to take his international goals tally to 126.
Messi had already left his mark on the game before finding the net, setting up Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz as Argentina eased to victory.
But the result was almost secondary on a night dedicated to one of the greatest careers in international football.
A packed Monumental Stadium, with around 85,000 supporters in attendance, turned the occasion into an extended farewell. Messi played the full 90 minutes before being celebrated with music, a laser show and a series of tributes.
The emotion was visible long before the final whistle. Messi was filmed wiping away tears on the team bus on the way to the stadium and was visibly moved again during Argentina’s national anthem.
Before kick-off, fireworks welcomed the players onto the pitch, while a giant Argentina shirt carrying Messi’s iconic number 10 and the word “Gracias” was displayed on the field.
The celebrations continued after just 10 minutes when the game was briefly stopped for another fireworks display, a standing ovation for Messi and a gesture of respect from every Benin player.
On the pitch, Messi remained unmistakably himself.
He saw two free-kicks saved, missed two opportunities from close range and struck the post late in the match. But the penalty provided the moment that completed his final international appearance.
After the game, Messi delivered an emotional speech lasting almost 10 minutes. Several of his teammates were visibly moved, with Manchester City’s Enzo Fernández among those seen in tears.
Messi admitted that he did not want to leave the pitch, but accepted that the time had come to close the chapter.
The decision to retire from international football had been announced in August. Messi said the choice hurt, but that the time had arrived.
His Argentina journey began in 2005 in unusual circumstances. Making his debut as a substitute against Hungary, he was sent off less than a minute after entering the game following an incident involving defender Vilmos Vanczak.
What followed was a remarkable transformation from a teenage debutant into the central figure of one of football’s greatest international eras.
Messi eventually led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and another Copa América triumph, while establishing himself as the country’s record goalscorer and most-capped player.
His international chapter is now closed, but his playing career continues.
Messi remains with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where his contract runs until the end of the 2028 season.
For Argentina, however, the night belonged to one man.
Lionel Messi walked onto the Monumental pitch for the final time as an Argentina international, scored one more goal, created two more and left his country with a final memory worthy of the career that came before it.
