Lionel Messi has played his final game for Argentina, and he did it in style. The 39-year-old scored in a 3-0 win over Benin on Tuesday night. That goal was his 126th for his country, and it came on his 208th appearance.
The match took place at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. More than 85,000 fans packed the stadium, and few left with dry eyes. So, here is how an unforgettable night unfolded.
A Slow Start, Then a Classic Messi Finish
At first, it seemed Messi (20.88) might leave the stage without scoring. He snatched at a few early chances, while Benin defended well. As a result, the first half ended goalless.
However, Messi has always offered more than goals. Soon after the break, he showed it again.
In the 48th minute, he whipped in a corner that Benin failed to clear. Nicolás Otamendi reacted first and put Argentina ahead. The moment meant even more because the 38-year-old defender is also stepping away.
Then, 13 minutes later, Messi turned provider once more. This time, he teed up Nico Paz, who curled a superb shot home.
Still, the crowd wanted one more thing. Their wish came true in the 71st minute. Tamimou Ouorou fouled Agustin Giay in the box, so the referee pointed to the spot.
Naturally, Messi took the kick and lashed it high into the top corner. Instantly, the stadium rang out with chants of “Messi, Messi.”
With a goal and two assists, he could not have scripted a better ending.
Tears Flowed From the Very Start
The tears had started long before the penalty. As the team bus crawled to the stadium, thousands of fans lined the route. Inside the bus, cameras spotted Messi wiping his eyes.
Things only got harder during the national anthem. Messi lined up with his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, beside him. Meanwhile, coach Lionel Scaloni also fought to keep his emotions in check.
Then, in the 10th minute, the game paused altogether. The entire crowd stood to applaud Argentina’s famous No. 10. Even the Benin players joined in, taking turns to shake his hand.
Once the final whistle blew, the celebrations moved skywards. A fleet of drones recreated scenes from his career above the stadium. Fittingly, the show ended with his most iconic moment. There he was, holding the World Cup aloft in Qatar in 2022.
A Speech Dedicated to His Father
Soon after, Messi took the microphone, and his thoughts turned straight to his father. Jorge Messi, who also acted as his agent, died weeks after the World Cup. He was 68 years old.
“The first thing I think about is my old man,” Messi told the crowd.
From there, he thanked the fans for more than 20 years of support. He described wearing the shirt as a “tremendous honour”. In fact, he said he would gladly keep coming back forever. To him, playing for Argentina is the greatest joy a player can know.
He also looked back on his happiest day at the Monumental. That came when Argentina returned home as world champions after Qatar. “I will never forget what I witnessed that day,” he said.
That made this goodbye even harder, and he called it his saddest day. Even so, he promised to support the team from the stands. “I love you, and I’ll miss you,” he said, as many fans wept.
Scaloni and Past Legends Pay Tribute
Like his captain, Scaloni struggled to hold back the tears. To him, coaching Messi was “a dream come true”. Indeed, he went further and called Messi the best soccer player in history.
“I’ve never seen that aura in anyone else in my life,” Scaloni said.
Moreover, he admitted that the squad would feel the loss. Argentina can still build a strong team with its young talent, he explained. But nothing, he said, can replace the feeling of having Messi beside you.
Alongside the current squad, Argentina’s past heroes also came to pay tribute. Players from the 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cup-winning teams attended with their families.
Unsurprisingly, demand for tickets was enormous. Every one of the 85,000-plus seats sold out within 90 minutes. Later, some resale tickets fetched more than $2,500 each.
Why Messi Decided It Was Time
So, why step away now? Messi made his decision in the weeks after this year’s World Cup. Argentina reached the final in New Jersey in July, but Spain won 1-0. That defeat ended his dream of back-to-back world titles.
“The last World Cup took a massive toll,” he admitted on Tuesday.
Even so, his own form at the tournament was remarkable. He scored eight goals and set up four more. Because of that, he is back in the Ballon d’Or race. This time, he faces Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé (14.92) for the prize. Of course, Messi already holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or wins.
After his announcement, the Argentine Football Association asked him to play one last game. The idea was simple: give him the send-off he truly deserved. Thankfully, Messi agreed, and Benin became his final international opponents.
A Career Built on Records
Without doubt, the numbers show just how special Messi has been. He leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances. On top of that, his 126 goals are a national record. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has more in the men’s game, with 146 goals in 234 games.
At World Cups alone, Messi scored 21 goals. He also appeared at six of them, a record he shares with Ronaldo.
The Monumental, meanwhile, holds special meaning for him. He scored 19 international goals there, more than at any other stadium.
Still, his journey was not always smooth. In 2016, he even quit the national team for a short time. Fortunately, he returned, and his best years followed. Argentina won the Copa América in 2021, then again in 2024. In between, he lifted the 2022 World Cup, just as Diego Maradona did in 1986.
What Comes Next for Messi
However, this is not the end of Messi’s playing days. He still plays for Inter Miami in MLS, where his trophy cabinet keeps growing. Most recently, he helped the club win the Campeones Cup, his fourth trophy there.
For Argentina, though, a new era starts now. After 21 years with Messi, the team must learn to move on without him. Naturally, that will take time.
Even so, Messi made one thing clear before he left. From now on, he will cheer on the next generation from the stands. In his words, Argentina will stay “always united”.
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