Lionel Messi brought his extraordinary Argentina career to an emotional close on Tuesday, delivering one final master class in the blue and white as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old captain was directly involved in all three goals, setting up Nicolás Otamendi for the opener, assisting Nico Paz for the second and then scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute. The goal was Messi's 126th for Argentina and provided a fitting final moment for a player who has spent more than two decades representing his country.
More than 85,000 supporters packed the Monumental for Messi's farewell, turning the friendly into a national celebration. Kick-off was delayed by around 30 minutes, while Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni appeared visibly emotional during the national anthems.
The tribute continued during the match when play was stopped in the 10th minute, with the crowd giving Messi a standing ovation in recognition of his famous No. 10 shirt. Fireworks and chants of "Messi, Messi" filled the stadium as supporters celebrated the player who eventually led Argentina to its greatest international successes.
The farewell had begun even before the teams arrived at the stadium. In Messi's hometown of Rosario, a huge No. 10 shirt carrying the word "Gracias" was displayed at the National Flag Memorial. Thousands of fans also gathered along the team's route to the stadium, giving Messi another emotional reception.
Benin's captain also paid tribute before the game, presenting Messi with a gift and a letter during the pre-match handshake. The Argentine captain's family watched from the stands, alongside members of the country's World Cup-winning teams from 1978, 1986 and 2022.
The first half ended goalless, but Messi quickly became the decisive figure after the break. His first major contribution came when he created the opening goal for Nicolás Otamendi, who finished from close range.
The goal carried additional significance because Otamendi has shared 17 years with Messi in the Argentina setup, including four World Cups. Like Messi, the defender was also bringing his international career to an end.
Messi then turned provider again for the second goal. He set up Nico Paz, one of the younger players expected to play an important role in Argentina's future, giving the midfielder a memorable moment on the same night that Messi was saying goodbye.
The final contribution came from Messi himself. Argentina were awarded a penalty in the second half, and the captain stepped forward to take it. He converted calmly to complete the 3-0 victory and add one final goal to his record.
The performance meant Messi finished his final Argentina appearance with one goal and two assists, directly contributing to every goal his team scored.
For Messi, the farewell closed a 21-year international career that began in 2005. His senior debut came when he was only 18, although it lasted less than a minute after he was sent off shortly after coming on as a substitute.
He eventually became Argentina's most-capped player, finishing with 208 appearances, while his 126 goals made him the country's all-time leading scorer. His international career also included several major tournaments and a number of defining moments that changed the history of Argentine football.
Messi initially struggled to win a major senior trophy with Argentina despite reaching the 2014 World Cup final and several Copa America finals. He briefly announced his international retirement in 2016 after another Copa America final defeat, only to reverse the decision weeks later.
The turning point came in 2021 when Messi finally won his first major senior international trophy with Argentina, lifting the Copa America. He followed that with the 2022 Finalissima and then the biggest prize of all, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
At the World Cup, Messi scored seven goals, including two in the final against France, as Argentina won the tournament after a dramatic penalty shootout. He was also named the tournament's best player.
Argentina then won another Copa America in 2024, giving Messi two continental titles during the final stage of his international career. He was also part of Argentina's gold-medal-winning football team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Despite his decision to retire internationally, Messi's final years with Argentina became the most successful period of his career with the national team. The trophies helped transform a story once dominated by disappointment into one defined by historic achievements.
Messi reflected on that journey after the final whistle, speaking to the supporters from the centre of the pitch.
"It was a source of great pride to wear this jersey for over 20 years," Messi told the crowd, speaking into a microphone from the centre of the pitch.
"I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all. I would love to keep coming back forever, because playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.
"I am proud to be Argentine and to have been able to fulfil this dream with all of you."
He had earlier shared a message with fans, saying: "The moment has arrived. I leave in peace. I gave it my all. This jersey was my dream. My pride. And my life.
"Thank you for loving me so much. I will always carry you with me."
Scaloni also paid tribute to the captain, describing the experience of coaching Messi as something he never expected to experience.
"It's been a dream come true. I never thought I'd be the coach of the best footballer in history.
"We are eternally grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to be with him.
"The tears are because so many things are going through my head. Not seeing him anymore will be sad; he leaves us with an incredible legacy.
"The feeling of having him (Messi) on your side is incomparable - I've never seen that aura in anyone else in my life."
Argentina President Javier Milei was among those who also paid tribute to Messi, writing on social media: "Thank you so much Lionel Messi. The best of all time by far."
After the final whistle, Messi was surrounded by teammates, opponents and the referee before the stadium moved into the closing stages of the celebration. A drone show lit up the sky, while Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti, known as "La Sole," performed her signature song "Brindis" as part of the tribute.
Messi's departure leaves Argentina with a player whose influence goes well beyond his statistics. He carried the expectations of an entire football nation through several generations, endured years of criticism after major tournament defeats and ultimately delivered the trophies supporters had been waiting for.
His record of 208 appearances and 126 goals now stands as the benchmark for future Argentina players, while his No. 10 shirt enters a new era after belonging to one of the greatest footballers in history.
Messi's international career is now complete, but his connection with Argentina is unlikely to disappear. From his difficult debut as an 18-year-old to his World Cup triumph and final farewell in Buenos Aires, his story with the national team became one of persistence, disappointment, redemption and ultimately success.
And on his final night, Messi gave Argentina one last performance to remember: three goals created or scored, a 3-0 victory and a farewell worthy of his extraordinary career.
