An indelible chapter in sports history closed with Argentina's 3–0 win over Benin, marking the end to Lionel Messi’s illustrious international football career. Returning to the pitch for the third friendly, the legendary football delivered a masterclass in his final appearance for La Albiceleste, scoring a goal and providing two assists. The magical performance brought his total international tally to a staggering 193 goal contributions.
Lionel Messi's last dance for Argentina
The occasion was marked by unforgettable emotion as play was paused in the 10th minute for a stadium-wide tribute to the talismanic forward. Following the final whistle, time seemed to stand still as Messi addressed the crowd. His tearful farewell speech brought teammates and supporters alike to tears, casting a quiet reverence over the stadium as football fans worldwide reckoned with the end of an extraordinary era. While Messi will no longer wear the iconic blue and white jersey, he will continue to light up the pitch at the club level for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi's magical goal in last dance
Though a few early missed opportunities threatened to delay his final moment of magic, the Argentine captain proved once again that his impact stretches far beyond finding the back of the net. Orchestrating his team's 3–0 victory, he delivered a pin-point 48th-minute corner for Nicolas Otamendi’s towering header before setting up Nico Paz for a stunning curled finish.
As the match drew to a close, the night sky over the Monumental exploded in a breathtaking drone light display tracing the defining highlights of his international journey, culminating in the iconic image of him lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy in Qatar. It was a poetic send-off at a venue deeply intertwined with his legacy, the very ground where he netted 19 international goals, more than at any other stadium, and where a nation first gathered to celebrate their global triumph.
Emotions, sentiments, nostalgia poured in
Long before the referee blew the opening whistle, an overwhelming wave of nostalgia and sentiment swept over the Estadio Monumental. Thousands of fans lined the streets to salute the Argentina team bus, where a visibly moved Messi was spotted wiping away tears. The raw emotion only intensified during the national anthem as Messi, standing proudly beside his sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro—shared a tearful moment with manager Lionel Scaloni during his final pre-match lineup.
The actual football took a backseat to the occasion early on, highlighted by an extraordinary gesture in the 10th minute. As the entire stadium rose for a standing ovation in tribute to the iconic number 10, play ground to a halt so the opposing Benin squad could shake the legend's hand. It was a fitting honor for a player who emulated Diego Maradona by carrying his nation to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, cementing a legacy that stands at the very pinnacle of international football.
Messi leaves La Albiceleste as the team's all-time leader in both appearances and goals, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo in overall men's international stats. Over a record-tying six World Cup appearances—a feat shared with Ronaldo—he notched 21 goals on the world's biggest stage. Though he briefly stepped away from the national team in 2016, his return sparked an golden era for Argentina, yielding back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 alongside his crowning 2022 World Cup victory.
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The 39-year-old Argentine’s international career with Argentina stands as one of the most remarkable journeys in modern sports history. Spanning over two decades, his tenure transformed La Albiceleste while establishing individual milestones that may stand unbroken for generations.
Legend's mighty milestones
Messi finishes his international tenure as Argentina’s undisputed all-time leader in both appearances and goals, netting 126 goals and providing 67 assists across 207 appearances. His 126 international goals rank second all-time in men's international football. Along the way, he amassed 11 international hat-tricks, the most recorded by any player in men’s international history. On the global stage, Messi featured in a record-tying six FIFA World Cup tournaments (2006–2026). He scored 21 World Cup goals, including his defining performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he led Argentina to their first world title since 1986. Additionally, he holds the all-time scoring record in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches and is the leading assist maker in Copa América history.
Leo's Ballon d'Or legacy
Parallel to his national success, Messi achieved individual dominance by winning an unprecedented 8 Ballon d'Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023). His historic eighth victory in 2023 was directly bolstered by his captaincy during Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph. Alongside his 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, Messi's international legacy seamlessly complements a career decorated with 46 team trophies, solidifying his status as the most decorated footballer in history.
Messi's emotional speech sums it all
"There are so many emotions, and it's hard to say anything. The first person I think of is my father. Not coming here anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear I would love to keep coming for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to us. Even in the worst moments, I never stopped fighting or giving my all."
"I feel that the time has come. At the last World Cup, everything I went through was too much. We had the dream, mine and that of the whole country, of becoming world champions again, and we were very close. Don't have any doubt that the team-mates I had by my side always gave everything for this shirt."
"I'm very grateful for everything I've experienced. The stadium was always full, you were everywhere. We know the effort you make. We are always the home team wherever we go and we feel it. I'm going to miss you all, and now I'll be on that side, supporting these lads and those who come after them. Always united. It has been shown that when we come together and stay united, we are stronger than anyone else and can overcome anything."