Lionel Messi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina with 3-0 Win Over Benin

Lionel Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career with a goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in front of more than 85,000 fans at the Monumental Stadium.

Messi walked onto the field for his final Argentina appearance on Tuesday as the country celebrated its captain and record goalscorer. The 39-year-old wiped away tears before the match as thousands of fans gathered along the team bus route.

The packed stadium turned the farewell into a national celebration. Fans sang Argentina’s national anthem and chanted Messi’s name throughout the night.

His family watched from the stands alongside members of Argentina’s 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cup-winning teams.

Messi Creates Three Goals in Final Match

The match remained goalless until Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi for Argentina’s opening goal. Otamendi has shared 17 years with Messi in the national team and also ended his international career.

Messi then assisted Nico Paz for the second goal. Paz is among the players viewed as a potential successor to Argentina’s No. 10 shirt.

Messi completed the farewell with a penalty for Argentina’s third goal. It was his 126th international goal.

At the final whistle, Messi received embraces from his teammates, opponents and the referee. A drone show followed as fans celebrated the end of his Argentina career.

Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s most-capped player with 208 appearances and its record scorer. He also leaves with the 2022 World Cup and Copa América titles that ended years of disappointment with the national team.