Lionel Messi brought his remarkable international career with Argentina to an emotional end on Tuesday, scoring a goal and providing two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old, making his record 208th and final appearance for Argentina, delivered a fitting farewell in front of more than 85,000 supporters, who filled the stadium to celebrate one of the greatest careers in international football.
Messi played a key role in Argentina’s opening two goals, setting up Nicolás Otamendi in the 48th minute before assisting Nicolás Paz for the second goal in the 61st minute.
He then completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, taking his international goal tally to 126.
The occasion was billed as the “Last Tango” and became an emotional celebration of Messi’s 21-year journey with the national team. The match was also paused in the 10th minute, reflecting his famous No. 10 shirt, as supporters gave him a prolonged ovation.
Speaking to the crowd after the match, Messi said representing Argentina for more than two decades had been a source of immense pride, adding that leaving the national team would be deeply painful.
He leaves international football as Argentina’s most-capped player and record scorer, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles with the national team.
Messi is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami, but his final appearance for Argentina marked the closing of an extraordinary chapter in the history of the national team.
