Messi Ends Argentina Career with a Goal and Two Assists
Sport
Lionel Messi made his final appearance for Argentina, bringing his international career to a close with a memorable performance. In a friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina won 3-0, with the captain scoring one goal and providing two assists.
Around 85,000 fans attended the match. Messi led Argentina onto the field as captain and was directly involved in all three goals. He assisted Nicolás Otamendi in the 48th minute and Nicolás Paz in the 61st before converting a penalty in the 71st minute. It was his 126th and final goal for the national team.
The farewell was accompanied by large-scale celebrations across Buenos Aires. Thousands of fans gathered to welcome the national team bus and chanted Messi’s name. His No. 10 shirt was lifted into the sky by helicopter, while portraits of the player were displayed on buildings around the city. The stadium was filled with a festive atmosphere. Argentina also wore a special commemorative kit, with players’ names and numbers in gold and the “May Sun”, one of the country’s national symbols, depicted on the back.
After the final whistle, Messi addressed the crowd. “Even in the most difficult times, I never stopped fighting, I always gave everything I had and I was always there. Saying goodbye to the team will cause me deep pain. I swear, I would like to come here for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the best thing that can happen”, the footballer said.
Messi ended his 21-year international career with Argentina. He made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals, holding the national team records for both appearances and goals. With Argentina, he won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. He also won two World Cup silver medals.
The 39-year-old Messi is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and continues to play for Inter Miami in MLS. His final Argentina appearance marked the end of one of the longest and most successful chapters in the history of Argentine football.
The farewell was accompanied by large-scale celebrations across Buenos Aires. Thousands of fans gathered to welcome the national team bus and chanted Messi’s name. His No. 10 shirt was lifted into the sky by helicopter, while portraits of the player were displayed on buildings around the city. The stadium was filled with a festive atmosphere. Argentina also wore a special commemorative kit, with players’ names and numbers in gold and the “May Sun”, one of the country’s national symbols, depicted on the back.
After the final whistle, Messi addressed the crowd. “Even in the most difficult times, I never stopped fighting, I always gave everything I had and I was always there. Saying goodbye to the team will cause me deep pain. I swear, I would like to come here for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the best thing that can happen”, the footballer said.
Messi ended his 21-year international career with Argentina. He made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals, holding the national team records for both appearances and goals. With Argentina, he won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. He also won two World Cup silver medals.
The 39-year-old Messi is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and continues to play for Inter Miami in MLS. His final Argentina appearance marked the end of one of the longest and most successful chapters in the history of Argentine football.
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