Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina national team in a 3-0 victory against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old forward ended his 21-year international career with 208 caps and 126 goals, contributing one penalty goal and two assists in the farewell friendly, according to reports from Sportschau and 20min.ch.
Messi scores 126th international goal in 3-0 win over Benin
The match served as a farewell gala for the eight-time World Player of the Year before 85,000 spectators. Messi recorded a goal via penalty in the 71st minute and provided the assists for goals scored by Nicolás Otamendi in the 48th minute and Nico Paz in the 61st minute, Sportschau reported.
The atmosphere in Buenos Aires included fireworks and fan chants long before kickoff. Before the match started, a large light-blue and white jersey was spread across the pitch featuring Messi’s number 10 and the word “Gracias” in gold letters. In the 10th minute, the referee paused the game to allow the entire stadium to give Messi a standing ovation, according to Sportschau.
Following the final whistle, a drone light show projected an image of Messi holding the World Cup trophy into the night sky over the capital, 20min.ch reported.
Emotional farewell from the Albiceleste captain
Messi appeared visibly emotional throughout the event, wiping away tears as he exited the team bus. He entered the pitch accompanied by his three sons: Thiago (13), Mateo (11), and Ciro (8). His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from the VIP box as Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang the national anthem, Sportschau reported.
In a video posted to Instagram prior to the match, Messi told fans, “The moment has come. This jersey was my dream, my pride and my life. Thank you for loving me so much, I will miss you.”
After the match, Messi described the day as the saddest of his career, stating it was a great honor to wear the jersey for more than 20 years. He told Sportschau that while he would have liked to play for Argentina his entire life, he felt that now was the right moment to step away.
Career trajectory from red card debut to World Cup glory
Messi’s international career began on August 17, 2005, against Hungary. In a debut described as “clunky” by local reports, he was sent off with a red card for an altercation less than a minute after being substituted into the game, a decision made by German referee Markus Merk, 20min.ch reported.
Despite the difficult start, Messi eventually led Argentina to a series of major titles. His first major trophy with the national team came with the 2021 Copa América victory, followed by the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar and another Copa América title in 2024. His international record also includes two World Cup runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2026, according to Sportschau.
20min.ch noted that the appointment of Lionel Scaloni as national coach in 2018 was a decisive factor in this success, as Scaloni built a team specifically structured around Messi’s strengths.
Messi’s professional path from Barcelona to Inter Miami
Outside the national team, Messi spent 21 years at FC Barcelona, having joined the La Masia academy at age 13. He made his professional debut on October 16, 2004, against Espanyol. In August, Pep Guardiola told Sportschau that the game has not produced a comparable talent since and called Messi the greatest footballer of all time.
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain, a move reported to be driven by Barcelona’s inability to afford his salary. After two years in France, he moved to the United States to join Inter Miami. Messi intends to continue playing in Major League Soccer, where his contract runs through the summer of 2028, Sportschau reported.
Argentina’s international records at a glance
| Category | Statistic/Detail |
|---|---|
| Total International Caps | 208 (Record) |
| Total International Goals | 126 (Record) |
| Major Titles | World Cup (2022), Copa América (2021, 2024) |
| World Cup Finals | 2014 (Runner-up), 2022 (Winner), 2026 (Runner-up) |
Questions regarding Messi’s retirement
Will Messi stop playing football entirely?
No. While he has retired from the Argentina national team, he will continue playing for Inter Miami in the United States under a contract that lasts until 2028, as reported by Sportschau.
Who is the current coach of the Argentina national team?
Lionel Scaloni is the national coach; 20min.ch reports that his primary challenge now is filling the vacuum left by Messi’s departure.
When did Messi’s international career officially start?
His debut took place on August 17, 2005, in a match against Hungary, during which he received a red card, according to 20min.ch.
“I have never stopped fighting,” Messi said after the match, adding that stepping away will do him good. “Playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a person.”
Related reading
