Lionel Messi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina With 3–0 Win Over Benin

Lionel Messi has officially brought his extraordinary international career with Argentina to an emotional close, delivering one final masterclass in the famous blue and white shirt.

The 39-year-old captain played his 208th and final international match on Tuesday, October 6, at the packed Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where Argentina defeated Benin 3–0. Around 85,000 supporters gathered to celebrate the career of one of football's most influential players.

The farewell could hardly have been scripted better. Messi was directly involved in all three Argentina goals, providing two assists before scoring himself from the penalty spot.

After a goalless first half, Argentina opened the scoring in the 48th minute when Nicolás Otamendi headed home from a corner delivered by Messi.

Messi then helped create Argentina's second goal, setting up Nicolás Paz, who finished confidently in the 61st minute.

Ten minutes later, Messi completed his own farewell story. He converted a penalty in the 71st minute to score his 126th international goal, prompting huge celebrations inside the Monumental.

The performance meant Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal, two assists and another victory for the Albiceleste.

Messi leaves the Argentina national team as the country's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

His final statistics stand at 126 goals in 208 appearances, records that underline his unprecedented contribution to Argentine football. His international career began in 2005 and lasted more than two decades.

His greatest achievement came in 2022, when he finally lifted the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in Qatar. He also helped the national team win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, completing a remarkable transformation from years of international disappointment to becoming an Argentine football icon.

The match was about more than football. Before kickoff, the stadium erupted in a huge ovation for Messi, while the match was briefly paused during the 10th minute to honour Argentina's legendary No. 10.

After the final whistle, Messi became visibly emotional as teammates, opponents and fans celebrated his international career.

Speaking to the crowd, Messi reflected on the privilege of representing Argentina for more than 20 years and said he would miss playing for the national team.

The celebration continued with fireworks and a tribute ceremony, turning the Monumental into the setting for one of the most emotional moments in Argentina football history.

Messi's international journey was filled with both setbacks and historic triumphs. After losing major finals earlier in his career, he eventually led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and another Copa América title in 2024.

He leaves the national team as a record-breaking captain whose influence extends far beyond goals and trophies.

Although his international career is now over, Lionel Messi continues his club career with Inter Miami CF, where he remains under contract through the 2028 season.

For Argentina, the era of Messi has officially ended. But after more than 20 years, eight Ballon d'Or awards, a World Cup triumph and countless unforgettable moments, his legacy as one of the greatest football players of all time is firmly established.