Messi scores in 3-0 farewell win over Benin to end 21-year Argentina career

Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career with a goal and two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires, signing off with records of 208 caps and 126 goals — both the most in the country’s history.

The 39-year-old, who had announced his retirement following this summer’s World Cup and the death of his father, was visibly emotional throughout the occasion. He set up Nicolas Otamendi’s opener from a corner before assisting Nico Paz’s strike from the edge of the area in the 61st minute. Messi then had the final word, converting a penalty after Tamimou Ouorou’s foul on Agustin Giay, blasting the ball into the top corner.

“I feel so many emotions,” Messi said in quotes reported by the Argentinean Football Association. “The first thing I think about is my old man. I can only express my gratitude; it was a tremendous honour to wear this jersey for over 20 years. I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all. I swear to you that I’d like to come back for life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you.”

Messi’s international career spanned more than two decades and included the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles. The first half had been goalless, with Benin offering more resistance than expected, but the floodgates opened after the break as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer delivered one final defining performance.

Otamendi, 38, was also making his farewell appearance for Argentina, adding a poignant subplot to a night already laden with emotion at the stadium in Buenos Aires.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to the man he described as the greatest footballer in history. “It’s been a dream come true. I never thought I’d be the coach of the best footballer in history,” Scaloni said. “We are eternally grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to be with him. The tears are because so many things are going through my head. Not seeing him anymore will be sad; he leaves us with an incredible legacy. The feeling of having him on your side is incomparable — I’ve never seen that aura in anyone else in my life.”