Messi signs off with goal, two assists as Argentina bids farewell to a Legend

Lionel Messi ended his extraordinary international career with a goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 6.

Messi made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina in front of more than 85,000 fans who gathered to celebrate a player widely regarded as one of football’s greatest.

The 39-year-old set up Nicolas Otamendi for Argentina’s opening goal before creating the second for Nico Paz.

He then completed his farewell with a late penalty, scoring his 126th international goal and sending the Monumental into another deafening rendition of “Messi, Messi”.

The night was dedicated to Argentina’s captain, with fans filling the stadium more than two hours before kick-off and thousands lining the streets as the team bus travelled to the venue.

In Messi’s hometown of Rosario, a giant number 10 shirt bearing the word “Gracias” was displayed at the National Flag Memorial.

The celebrations continued inside the Monumental, with fireworks, a drone show and a performance of “Brindis” by Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti.

The match was also stopped briefly in the 10th minute as supporters stood to applaud Messi. After the final whistle, Messi was left in tears as teammates, opponents and officials gathered around him.

“It’s hard to talk. There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head,” Messi said.

He also reflected on the recent death of his father.

“The first thing I think about is my old man,” he said.

Messi admitted that leaving the national team would be painful despite knowing the time had come.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years,” he said.

“Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”

Messi finishes his senior international career as Argentina’s most capped player and record goalscorer, with 208 appearances, 126 goals and 68 assists.

His international career began in 2005 and included six World Cups and seven Copa América tournaments.

His defining achievement came in Qatar in 2022, when he finally led Argentina to the World Cup after years of disappointment.

He also won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 Finalissima. Earlier in his career, Messi won the Under-20 World Cup and Olympic gold with Argentina. For years, Argentina asked Messi to deliver. On his final night, there was nothing left to demand. Only gratitude.

“Even in the worst moments we went through and that I had, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here,” Messi said.

As the Monumental erupted one final time for its captain, one of football’s greatest international careers came to an end. Messi walked away having given Argentina everything.