Lionel Messi ended his international career with Argentina by playing his 208th match in a fixture against Benin at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, El País reported. The milestone appearance featured a ceremony in the 10th minute where the referee halted the game, and 85,000 fans illuminated the stadium with their mobile phones to chant his name.
The 10th-Minute Tribute at the Estadio Más Monumental
The Association of Football Argentine organized the mid-match pause during the international friendly in Buenos Aires. As play stopped, the crowd of 85,000 spectators turned on their phone flashlights while pyrotechnics lit up the night sky above the stadium. Players from the Benin national team walked over to embrace the Argentina captain on the pitch.
Career Statistics and International Honors with the Albiceleste
Messi concludes his tenure with the senior national team holding extensive records across two decades of play. Across 208 appearances for the Albiceleste, the forward scored 125 goals and provided 68 assists while wearing the captain’s armband in 147 of those games. His major international trophy cabinet includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments, and the 2022 Finalísima against Italy.
Roster Selection for the Final Farewell
The Argentine federation assembled a mixed squad for the fixture against the West African side. The roster blended veterans who featured alongside Messi during the triumphant 2022 World Cup run in Qatar with emerging members of the younger generation, ensuring teammates from multiple eras shared the pitch for his final appearance.
Public Farewell Messages and Social Media Response
Prior to the match, Messi addressed his global following through an official Instagram post featuring a photograph of a packed Estadio Más Monumental. The message read, “Gracias por tanto, disculpen por tan poco,” gathering millions of interactions within hours across an audience exceeding 500 million followers.
