Lionel Messi scored and provided two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 on Tuesday, October 6, in what was the 39-year-old’s final appearance for the national team, bringing an emotional farewell to the Albiceleste legend at Buenos Aires’ Monumental stadium.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made his 208th appearance for Argentina in front of more than 80,000 fans and added his 126th international goal from the penalty spot in the 70th minute. He also set up Nicolas Otamendi from a corner in the 48th minute and Nicolas Paz in the 60th for his 66th and 67th assists with the national team.
Otamendi, 38, was also playing his final match for Argentina.
Messi remained a constant threat throughout the game, with his vision and movement still intact. He came close to adding two or three more goals, narrowly missing several chances created by Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez before hitting the post late in the second half.
Despite being a friendly match, the occasion had the feel of a World Cup match. Argentina shirts bearing Messi’s No. 10 were everywhere in Buenos Aires, along with flags and crowds lining the team bus route. Monuments were lit up in Argentina’s sky-blue and white colors, while a fan zone with a giant screen was set up at the university campus.
‘Gracias, mi capitán’
Fans had snapped up the tickets in less than two hours, eager to witness Messi’s final appearance in an Argentina shirt.
“We are very emotional because Messi is an example of leadership, of a father and of a man. Being here to accompany him in what we could call his final performance is a source of pride and an honor,” Karina Fernandez told AFP outside the stadium after securing a ticket.
Almost every detail of the night was built around Messi. There was a special shirt made for the occasion, while the Argentine national anthem was performed by a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War. In the 10th minute, the game was briefly stopped in tribute to the No. 10 as the crowd erupted into another standing ovation.
Messi himself struggled to contain his emotions. He was seen wiping his eyes on the bus to the stadium and again during the national anthem. Tears also rolled down the face of coach Lionel Scaloni, who later praised his namesake as “inimitable” and called him “the best footballer in history.”
AFP
Tributes had also poured in from across the football world, including from former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar.
“This is not only Argentina, it is the whole world thanking you for everything you have given to football,” Neymar said.
The word “gracias” could be seen and heard throughout the stadium and across the city. It appeared on advertising boards, on a huge banner in the stands reading “Gracias por todo, mi capitan” and on a giant No. 10 shirt spread across the pitch. At the end of the match, drones formed the words “Gracias Leo” in the sky before Messi took one final lap of honour.
Around Messi, Argentina fielded a starting lineup that closely resembled the team that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Angel Di Maria, who has already retired from international football but was present at the stadium, and the suspended Nahuel Molina were the only notable absences.
The crowd kept the songs going throughout the night, including “Come, come, sing with me, with Messi we will take the lap of honor” and “Muchachos,” the supporters’ anthem from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign. The familiar “Mes-si! Mes-si!” chants also rang around the Monumental.
‘A great sadness’
Messi announced his international retirement in late August, but Scaloni and the Argentine Football Association decided to call him up for one final appearance and give the player a farewell worthy of his contribution to one of football’s great nations.
After years of falling short on the biggest stage with Argentina, Messi finally broke through in 2022, leading his country to a third World Cup title with victory over France. The triumph ended a 36-year wait since Argentina’s previous World Cup victory in 1986, when Diego Maradona was the team’s star.
Across 22 years with the national team, Messi also won the 2005 U20 World Cup, Olympic gold in 2008, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 Finalissima, played between the winners of the European Championship and Copa América.
What comes next remains uncertain. Messi is under contract with Inter Miami until 2028 but had previously suggested he could retire altogether sooner than expected following the death of his father and agent, Jorge, two months ago.
But Tuesday night belonged to Argentina and to Messi’s farewell.
“It has been a great source of pride for me to wear this shirt,” the No. 10 told the crowd on the pitch after the match. “I have nothing but gratitude (...) Not coming back will be a great sadness.”
