An Emotional Farewell: Lionel Messi Ends Legendary Argentina Career with Triumph

Lionel Messi delivered one final masterclass in the blue and white of Argentina as its most decorated player and captain, bringing the curtain down on his extraordinary 21-year international career by scoring one goal and setting up two others in a 3-0 friendly match against Benin.

The 39-year-old’s final bow came in front of more than 85,000 fans at a packed Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Landmarks across the capital glowed with the team’s sky blue and white colours, while fireworks lit up the skies above the heaving stadium as fans poured their hearts into a rendition of Argentina’s national anthem.

Hours earlier, a huge number 10 shirt emblazoned with “Gracias” was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown.

“It’s hard to talk,” said Messi, whose family watched proudly from the stands alongside some of Argentina’s World Cup winners of 1978, 1986 and 2022. “There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is my old man,” he added, referring to the recent death of his father. “It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years.”

After a goalless first half, Messi supplied an assist for Nicolas Otamendi to tap home Argentina’s opener. Otamendi spent 17 years with Messi in the national team, including four World Cups, and was also ending his international career. Messi then set up Nico Paz, one of the players seen as a potential successor for Argentina’s number 10 shirt, to score the second goal. In a fairytale ending, Messi converted a penalty for 3-0, his 126th international goal.

At the final whistle, teammates, opponents and the referee gathered around Messi for embraces before a drone show lit up the sky, followed by Argentinian singer Soledad Pastorutti singing her signature “Brindis” as part of a tribute.

Messi leaves as the country’s most-capped player (208) and record scorer, having transformed years of frustration on the international stage into a story of World Cup and Copa America triumphs.