Lionel Messi ended his international career on Tuesday night at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, scoring from the penalty spot and delivering two assists in a 3-0 friendly victory against Benin.
Eighty-Five Thousand Fans Pack Buenos Aires for the Captain’s Final Match
The fixture served as a celebratory farewell for the legendary forward, with approximately 85,000 supporters filling the stadium in sky-blue colors, according to dhnet.be. Tributes commemorated the player who ultimately matched the legacy of Diego Maradona. Teammates wore special commemorative jerseys designed specifically for the occasion, while former international teammates who secured the 2022 World Cup watched from the stands.
Two Decades of Service Concluded With Three Goal Involvements
Messi orchestrated three goals during the contest against Benin, ranked 89th by FIFA. He delivered his first assist from a corner kick in the 48th minute, finding 38-year-old defender Nicolas Otamendi—who was also playing his final international match for the Albiceleste. Messi provided an open-play assist to Nicolas Paz, who scored Argentina’s second goal.
In the 70th minute, Messi capped his scoring record by converting a penalty kick to register his 126th international goal. The performance brought his career tally of assists for the national team to 67.
An Emotional Farewell From the Albiceleste Legend
Following the final whistle, the veteran forward addressed the crowd to reflect on his longevity with the squad. Cela a été une très grande fierté pour moi de défendre ce maillot,
the number 10 stated, expressing a très grande fierté
for representing the country for more than 20 years. He added, Je n’ai rien d’autre que des remerciements (…) Ne plus revenir va être une grande peine.
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