Lionel Messi’s farewell with the Argentine national team couldn’t have gone according to a better script. In front of a packed Estadio Monumental and 85,000 fans devoted to their captain, the Argentine star once again demonstrated his skill with a penalty kick and two assists in the 3-0 victory over Benin.
The match marked the end of a 21-year era with the Albiceleste, during which Messi scored 126 goals and won one World Cup and two Copa América titles.
After the match, the soccer player took the microphone in the center of the field to address, for the last time as a national team player, the fans who had supported him throughout his career.
“It was a great honor to wear this jersey for more than 20 years. I never stopped fighting; I never stopped giving it my all,” Messi said.
Messi was once again the star
The celebration began in the second half. In the 48th minute, a corner kick taken by Messi found Nicolás Otamendi’s head, and he opened the scoring.
Then came another special moment. In the 61st minute, Messi set up the young Nicolás Paz, who responded with a left-footed finish to extend Argentina’s lead.
Ten minutes later, Messi himself had the chance to get his name on the scoreboard again. The captain took a penalty kick with his left foot and sent the ball into the top corner, further extending his record as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer.
As the ball went in, the stands began chanting once more: “Olé, olé, Messi.”
A farewell full of emotion
Messi played his 208th match for Argentina and was honored from the very first minutes. Ten minutes into the game, the referee stopped play to allow teammates and opponents to come over and bid farewell to the captain.
The player responded by raising his hand and thanking the fans for their ovation.
Emotion was also in the air before the match. Accompanied by his sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, Messi could not hold back his tears during the Argentine national anthem, performed by a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War.
From the bench, Emiliano Martínez walked over to hug him and stand by his side in one of the most emotional moments of the night.
From failure to glory with Argentina
Messi’s journey with the national team wasn’t always easy. Since his debut in 2005, the forward endured defeats and criticism until he finally found glory at Qatar 2022, where he lifted the World Cup and fulfilled the great dream he had pursued throughout his career.
Before that moment, he also won two Copa América titles—achievements that ultimately transformed the relationship between Messi and Argentine fans.
Now, at age 39, the player has decided to officially end his international career.
“I’m going to miss you all. Now I’ll be by your side, supporting the national team and those who come after,” he told the fans.
Messi leaves one final request
Before leaving the field, Messi asked his teammates to stay united and continue building a strong national team.
“When we’re united, we’re stronger than anyone else and we can overcome anything,” he said.
He then took a solo lap of honor while the crowd at the Monumental once again chanted his name.
But Messi’s farewell didn’t begin or end solely at the stadium. Before the match, the University of Buenos Aires awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his career with the Argentine national team and his influence both on and off the field.
After more than two decades of titles, records, and unforgettable moments, Messi brought his time with Argentina to a close as only he could: with one final stellar performance and the affection of an entire country.
