Messi ends Argentina career with goal in 3-0 win over Benin; Ronaldo pays tribute
In short
Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina in Buenos Aires, scoring one goal and providing two assists in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin before about 85,000 spectators, ending 21 years with the national team. Cristiano Ronaldo responded to Messi's Instagram farewell post, writing that Messi had made history that will last forever and sending him his highest respect.
Read the full story 2 min read
Lionel Messi, 39, played his last match for Argentina's national team in Buenos Aires, scoring one goal and providing two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly, Yonhap, Seoul Economic Daily and Hankook Ilbo reported. About 85,000 spectators watched the match, which ended a 21-year national team career. Chosun Ilbo, carrying a Newsis report, said the match was held at the Monumental stadium and kicked off at 8 a.m. Korean time on October 7. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Newsis reported that Messi had announced his retirement from the national team after the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America, and was specially invited to the Benin match to wear the Argentina shirt one last time. Hankook Ilbo reported that at the 2026 World Cup Messi, at 39, helped take Argentina to the final. [ 1 , 5 ]
On October 7, local time, Messi posted a long message on Instagram. "Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the sky-blue and white shirt," he wrote, according to Yonhap. He described the journey as hard to believe, with joy and sadness, and said he was sure every step had been worth it. He also wrote that he did not want to forget Diego Maradona, who he said put the country where it deserved to be. [ 3 , 4 ]
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, of Al Nassr, commented on the post: "Leo, you made history that will remain forever, playing for your country for many years. I send my highest respect for what you achieved with Argentina," Yonhap reported. Seoul Economic Daily and Hankook Ilbo carried the same comment and described the two as rivals who competed for nearly 20 years for the top place in world football. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
As captain, Messi led Argentina to the 2022 Qatar World Cup title and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles. Seoul Economic Daily said he debuted for the senior team in 2005. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The outlets contrasted the end of Ronaldo's international career. Ronaldo recently left Portugal's squad without permission during an international window amid a conflict with coach Jorge Jesus, Yonhap, Seoul Economic Daily and Hankook Ilbo reported. Hankook Ilbo said Ronaldo has stated he is not retiring from the national team. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The match closes the international career of Argentina's captain, who led the team to the 2022 World Cup title and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, according to Korean outlets. Ronaldo's public tribute was reported widely in South Korea as a gesture between two players who competed for nearly two decades for the title of the world's best.
Key facts
- Messi played his farewell match for Argentina against Benin in a friendly in Buenos Aires. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Argentina won 3-0, with Messi scoring one goal and providing two assists. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- About 85,000 spectators attended the match. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The match ended Messi's 21-year national team career; Seoul Economic Daily reported he debuted for the senior team in 2005. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Messi wrote on Instagram that he already misses wearing the sky-blue and white shirt and mentioned Diego Maradona. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Ronaldo commented that Messi had made lasting history for his country and sent his highest respect for what he achieved with Argentina. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- As captain, Messi led Argentina to the 2022 Qatar World Cup title and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Ronaldo recently left Portugal's squad during an international window without permission amid a conflict with coach Jorge Jesus. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Messi played his final Argentina match against Benin in Buenos Aires. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Argentina won 3-0 with Messi recording one goal and two assists, before about 85,000 spectators. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Ronaldo posted a tribute comment on Messi's Instagram farewell message. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Ronaldo recently left the Portugal squad without permission amid a conflict with coach Jorge Jesus. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Ronaldo intends to continue playing for Portugal. Only Hankook Ilbo reports that he said he is not retiring from the national team.
- Argentina's result at the 2026 World Cup. Only Hankook Ilbo says Messi took Argentina to the final; the documents do not give the final's result.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 6: Newsis reports Messi training in Buenos Aires a day before his farewell match against Benin. [ 1 ]
- October 7 (Korean time): Argentina vs Benin farewell friendly kicks off at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. [ 2 ]
- October 8: Yonhap reports Ronaldo's tribute to Messi after the 3-0 win. [ 3 ]
- October 8: Hankook Ilbo reports Ronaldo's comment and notes he has said he is not retiring from Portugal's team. [ 5 ]