Messi bows out with goal and two assists in Argentina farewell

Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career with a goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell at a packed Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

More than 85,000 supporters gathered to celebrate the 39-year-old captain, turning the friendly into a national tribute to the country’s most decorated footballer.

Buildings and landmarks across the capital were illuminated in Argentina’s sky blue and white colours, while fireworks filled the sky above the stadium. The crowd sang the national anthem before Messi’s final appearance for the national team.

“It’s hard to talk,” Messi said, with his family watching from the stands alongside members of Argentina’s World Cup-winning teams from 1978, 1986 and 2022.

“There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is my old man,” he added, referring to the recent death of his father.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years.

“Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”

Earlier on Tuesday, a giant No. 10 shirt bearing the word “Gracias” was displayed at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown.

Thousands of fans lined the route as the Argentina team bus left the training centre named after the captain. Messi was seen wiping away tears as he passed them.

Benin captain handed Messi a gift and a letter during the pre-match handshake, appearing lost for words as he marked the occasion.

The match remained goalless until Messi created the opening goal for Nicolas Otamendi, who finished from close range. Otamendi had spent 17 years alongside Messi in the Argentina set-up, including at four World Cups, and was also making his final international appearance.

Messi then provided the pass for Nico Paz to score Argentina’s second. Paz is viewed as one of the potential players to inherit the national team’s No. 10 shirt.

The farewell reached its final chapter when Messi converted a penalty to make it 3-0. It was his 126th international goal and prompted another chorus of “Messi, Messi” from the supporters.

After the final whistle, teammates, opponents and the referee surrounded Messi to embrace him. A drone display followed, before Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti, known as “La Sole”, performed her signature song “Brindis” during the tribute to Messi and his international career.

Messi finishes as Argentina’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and their record scorer. His career with the national team transformed years of disappointment into triumphs at the World Cup and Copa America.

For years, Argentina demanded that Messi deliver. On Tuesday, the country gathered simply to say: “Thank you.”