Messi Ends Argentina Career with Emotional Farewell in Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi brought his international football career to a close on Tuesday night, appearing for the final time for Argentina in an emotional friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The 39-year-old forward scored in the 71st minute, adding a final goal to a record-setting national-team career that lasted 21 years. Messi is Argentina’s most capped player and its leading scorer, with 126 goals in 208 appearances.

Tribute at the Monumental

Emotion was evident before the match began, with Messi and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni visibly moved during the national anthems.

The match was also paused in the 10th minute for a standing ovation honouring Messi’s shirt number. Fireworks and chants from the crowd accompanied the tribute as supporters celebrated one of the most significant careers in Argentina’s football history.

Messi addressed the crowd after the final whistle. In remarks about representing Argentina, he described it as “the most beautiful thing.”

A lasting national-team legacy

Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005 at the age of 18 and became captain in 2011. Under his leadership, Argentina won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 World Cup.

Fernando Rodriguez, a Mexican businessman who attended the match, said Messi had left a legacy of “determination and unity, especially for the people of Argentina”. Rodriguez also said the player “leaves behind a sense of community and shows that great things are always possible”.

Another attendee, fan Ariel Cinquemani, highlighted Messi’s worldwide appeal. “Everyone loves him, they love him everywhere, they recognise him because the guy is unique,” Cinquemani said.

Messi’s appearance against Benin marked the end of his time with Argentina, closing a national-team journey that began more than two decades ago and included the country’s most important recent international successes.