Lionel Messi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina in Final Match Against Benin

Lionel Messi ended 21 years of international football with Argentina on Tuesday night at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, appearing in his 208th match for the Albiceleste and scoring his 126th international goal during a 3-0 victory over Benin (rtve.es). Standing in the center circle before a crowd of roughly 85,000 spectators, the 39-year-old forward delivered an emotional farewell address to his home fans and teammates (rtve.es).

An Emotional Farewell in Buenos Aires

The evening carried a heavy atmosphere from the opening moments. According to reporting from elmundo.es, Messi wept inside the team bus on his way to the stadium, where he also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires and was named an honorary member of River Plate. When the players took the pitch alongside their children, the scene quickly moved head coach Lionel Scaloni and members of the squad to tears. The match itself was halted in the 10th minute so that teammates, opponents, and the entire stadium could embrace the player wearing the number 10 shirt amid fireworks and smoke.

“Fue un orgullo muy grande para mí defender esta camiseta, hasta en los peores momentos que hemos tenido. Nunca dejé de luchar, de pelear, de dar lo máximo. No venir más va a ser un dolor muy grande, me gustaría hacerlo toda la vida, porque les juro que es lo más lindo que te puede pasar”, Messi told the crowd in an extensive address captured by elmundo.es. He added during his remarks, “Estoy hablando más que nunca, no quiero dejar la cancha… decirles que los quiero, soy un agradecido de ser argentino y de haber cumplido el sueño con todos ustedes.”

Reflecting on the World Cup and Career Milestones

During his speech on the pitch, Messi addressed the team’s recent run to the final of the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina fell to Spain. rtve.es noted that the captain also made a heartfelt reference to his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away shortly after the tournament concluded. “Siento que es el momento, en el último Mundial fue demasiado todo lo que me tocó vivir. Tuvimos el sueño mío y de todo el país de volver a ser campeones del mundo, estuvimos muy cerquita,” Messi stated, as reported by rtve.es.

While elmundo.es detailed Messi’s remarks regarding the physical toll of the tournament—mentioning a demanding match against England that generated strong anti-opponent chants from the Monumental stands—both outlets highlighted his international resume. Across two decades with the senior national team, Messi collected a FIFA World Cup title, two Copa América trophies, a Finalissima crown, and an Olympic gold medal, scoring 21 goals across six separate World Tournaments.

Decisive Second-Half Action on the Pitch

The match itself featured a slow start for a visibly emotional Argentine side, with Benin maintaining an organized defensive shape throughout the opening 45 minutes while Messi tested the defense with four separate attempts. The fixture turned after halftime as Argentina pressed to ensure their captain’s final night ended in victory. Following a foul on Giay inside the penalty area, Messi stepped up to convert from the spot for his 126th international goal (rtve.es). Minutes later, a corner kick delivered by Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi for a goal in his own international farewell, followed by an assist to Nico Paz to round out the 3-0 scoreline (rtve.es).

Surrounded by his wife Antonella, his mother, and his children Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro—along with former teammates including Ángel Di María and Sergio Agüero—Messi closed out his final appearance for the Albiceleste by urging the next generation to stay united against outside pressures (rtve.es). “Van a venir momentos duros porque no es normal lo que hicimos,” elmundo.es recorded him telling his teammates. “Para conseguir objetivos grandes, hay que conseguir grupos fuertes y unidos, porque hay gente que quiere ver mal a la selección y no hay que darle el gusto.”