Emotional Messi Bids Farewell as Argentina Defeat Benin 3-0

Lionel Messi ended his remarkable 21-year international career in emotional fashion on Tuesday, scoring and providing assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 before a packed Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

The 39-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, scored his 126th international goal during his record-extending 208th appearance for Argentina.

Messi also set up Nicolas Otamendi for Argentina’s opening goal, while Nico Paz found the net to help the world champions secure a comfortable victory.

But the scoreline mattered little compared with the emotional farewell to Messi, as 85,000 fans gathered at the Monumental to honour the Argentina icon in an occasion billed as ‘The Last Tango’.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” Messi said in his post-match address.

“Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”

Despite the emotional farewell, Messi insisted he had no regrets about retiring from international football. He pointed to the demanding World Cup campaign, which took place while his late father was seriously ill, as part of the reason for his decision.

“Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through,” he said.

The emotion was already evident before kick-off, with Messi wiping away tears as the Argentina team bus made its way through crowds of supporters heading to the stadium.

He entered the pitch with his three children, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from the VIP section.

A giant Argentina jersey with “Gracias” (Thank You) written above Messi’s No.10 was displayed on the pitch before kick-off, prompting a huge roar from the crowd.

Messi was visibly emotional once again as Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang the national anthem next to a banner that read “The Malvinas are Argentine”, the same banner Argentina’s players held after their 2-1 semi-final win over England.

The game was stopped in the 10th minute for a minute-long ovation in honour of Messi’s famous shirt number.

He then put the finishing touch on his farewell by scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

‘Gave it my all’

After the final whistle, a drone show illuminated the sky above the Monumental with Messi’s image and a tribute to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

His farewell came two and a half months after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in New Jersey. Messi left the pitch in tears after the 1-0 defeat.

“I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote after the defeat.

Earlier on Tuesday, Messi received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires at a ceremony held at the AFA headquarters.

The Argentine star, who has previously expressed regret about not studying more, joked about his latest academic honour.

“To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!,” he said.

Outside the AFA headquarters, supporters displayed a huge Argentine flag featuring Messi and the inscription “The joy of my life.”

Neymar, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, also paid tribute to him on X.

“It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more,” Neymar said.

Messi remains contracted to Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he has indicated that he could end his playing career earlier than expected.

The Argentine superstar’s international career ends four years after he guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, ending the country’s 36-year wait for a third World Cup and further establishing his legacy as the heir to Diego Maradona.

“I believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn’t bother me at all that he’s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest,” Cecilia Adriano, 52, told AFP.

With Messi, Argentina won one World Cup, finished runners-up at the 2014 and 2026 World Cups, and lifted the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

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