Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career with a goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old captain, making his 208th and final appearance for Argentina, scored from the penalty spot to reach 126 international goals, capping a night of tears, tributes and celebration in front of more than 85,000 fans. The friendly, dubbed “the last tango,” marked the end of an era for the player widely regarded as one of football’s greatest ever.
Emotions ran high from the outset, with Messi visibly moved and wiping away tears as the Argentina team bus made its way through crowds of supporters lining the route to the stadium. Tears flowed again during the national anthem, with both Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni overcome by the moment.
As the match concluded, teammates, opponents and the referee gathered around Messi for heartfelt embraces, before a dazzling drone show illuminated the sky in celebration of his career. The atmosphere was one of collective farewell, as fans paid tribute to a player who has defined an era of Argentine football.
Messi signed off in style, scoring his 126th international goal and providing two assists in a performance that reminded fans of his enduring brilliance. The penalty conversion gave Argentina a 3-0 victory over Benin, sending the captain off with a win in his final match.
The farewell capped a career that included two Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, cementing Messi’s status as Argentina’s most decorated player and captain. His final appearance came just months after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, a defeat that prompted Messi to announce his international retirement.
Addressing the packed Monumental Stadium after the match, Messi struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on more than two decades in the blue and white of Argentina. He thanked his teammates, remembered his father and admitted that leaving the national team would be one of the hardest moments of his career.
“I’d love to come back forever, because playing in Argentina is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you,” Messi said, capturing the deep bond between the player and his country. His words, delivered amid tears and applause, underscored the significance of the moment for both the player and the fans who have followed his journey.
Messi’s departure marks the end of a remarkable international career that began in 2005 and has seen him become Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. His final game was a fitting tribute to a career defined by extraordinary talent, leadership and an unwavering commitment to his country.
As the dust settles on this emotional farewell, Argentina and the wider football world will begin to adjust to the reality of a game without Messi in an Argentina shirt. For now, though, the focus remains on celebrating a player who gave so much to his country and left an indelible mark on the sport.
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