Lionel Messi has officially brought the curtain down on his extraordinary international career with Argentina, ending a remarkable 21-year journey in the national team’s famous blue and white jersey.
The 39-year-old superstar played his final match for Argentina on October 6 against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. In front of more than 85,000 emotional fans, Messi delivered a fitting final performance as Argentina secured a 3-0 victory.
Messi was directly involved in all three goals. He helped create Nicolás Otamendi’s opener, assisted Nico Paz for Argentina’s second, and then scored the third goal himself from the penalty spot. The strike was his 126th international goal, bringing his Argentina career to a close on a high.
The farewell was about far more than the result. The Monumental was packed with tributes to the captain, including a giant No. 10 jersey carrying the word “Gracias.” The match was also briefly paused in the 10th minute for a special ovation for Messi, while a drone display followed the final whistle.
Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and its all-time leading scorer. During his international career, he finally ended years of heartbreak by guiding Argentina to the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to the crowd after the match, Messi admitted that saying goodbye was deeply painful but said he was proud to have represented Argentina for more than two decades. He also expressed his love for the national team and said he would continue supporting the players from the sidelines.
Messi’s international retirement marks the end of one of football’s greatest eras. While his Argentina chapter is now closed, he will continue his club career with Inter Miami, leaving fans around the world to celebrate a legacy that transformed Argentine football forever.