Messi scores and sets up two in final Argentina appearance, 3-0 win over Benin
In short
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career on Tuesday night, scoring one goal and setting up two others as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires. More than 85,000 fans filled the Monumental stadium for the farewell, where Messi was in tears and said playing for Argentina was “the most beautiful thing that can happen to you”. He also referred to the recent death of his father, Jorge.
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Lionel Messi brought his 21-year international career to an end on Tuesday night, scoring one goal and setting up two others as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires. More than 85,000 fans filled the Monumental stadium for his final appearance in the blue-and-white shirt. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
After a goalless first half, Messi supplied the assist for Nicolas Otamendi to score Argentina’s opener, then set up Nico Paz, one of the players seen as a potential successor. Otamendi spent 17 years with Messi in the national team, including four World Cups, and was also ending his international career, The National and Emirates 24|7 reported. Forbes Middle East said Messi scored the final goal in the 71st minute from the penalty box, and that the game was his 208th appearance for Argentina, the second-highest number of international appearances by any player behind Cristiano Ronaldo. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The National and Emirates 24|7 described the occasion as a national celebration rather than a competitive match. Landmarks across the capital glowed in the team’s colours, fireworks lit the sky above the stadium and fans sang the national anthem. In Rosario, Messi’s hometown, a large No 10 shirt emblazoned with “Gracias” was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial hours earlier, according to The National; Forbes Middle East said a giant Argentina jersey with the No 10 and the word “Gracias” was unfurled on the field before the game began. Messi wiped away tears as thousands lined the route of the team bus from the training centre bearing his name. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
“It’s hard to talk,” Messi said after the match, according to The National and Emirates 24|7. “There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is my old man,” he added, referring to the recent death of his father, Jorge. “It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years. Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Messi’s family watched from the stands alongside some of Argentina’s World Cup winners of 1978, 1986 and 2022, the reports said. Before kick-off, Benin’s captain handed Messi a gift and a letter during the handshake. Forbes Middle East said tickets for the match sold out in 90 minutes after bookings opened. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The match closed a 21-year international career and drew a sell-out crowd and national commemorations in Argentina, according to the reports. For a global audience it marks the end of one of the sport’s most-followed international careers, with Forbes Middle East noting it was his 208th appearance for Argentina. The coverage is a celebration rather than a competitive result, since the fixture was a friendly.
Key facts
- Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires in Lionel Messi’s final international appearance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Messi, 39, scored one goal and set up two others. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- More than 85,000 fans attended at the Monumental stadium. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Nicolas Otamendi scored Argentina’s opener from a Messi assist; Otamendi spent 17 years with Messi in the national team, including four World Cups, and was also ending his international career. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Messi said it was a huge source of pride to wear the shirt for more than 20 years, and referred to the recent death of his father. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Forbes Middle East reported the match was Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina, the second-highest number of international appearances by any player behind Cristiano Ronaldo. [ 3 ]
- A large No 10 shirt marked with “Gracias” was displayed; The National placed it at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, while Forbes Middle East said a giant jersey was unfurled on the field before the game. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Messi scored one goal and set up two others in the match. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- More than 85,000 fans attended the game at the Monumental stadium. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Messi said it was a huge source of pride to wear the Argentina shirt for more than 20 years, and mentioned the recent death of his father. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A No 10 shirt with the word “Gracias” was displayed in connection with the farewell. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Otamendi, who shared 17 years with Messi in the national team including four World Cups, scored the opening goal and was also ending his international career. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The timing and manner of Messi’s goal. Forbes Middle East says Messi scored in the 71st minute from the penalty box, while the other two documents only say he scored one goal and do not give a minute or say whether it was a penalty.
- Where the large “Gracias” No 10 shirt was displayed. The National says it was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown; Forbes Middle East says a giant jersey was unfurled on the field before the game began.
- Messi’s total number of international goals. Forbes Middle East’s summary gives the figure 126 but the text is cut off mid-sentence, so what the number refers to is not fully stated.
- Attendance demand and appearance count details. The sell-out in 90 minutes and the 208th-cap figure appear only in Forbes Middle East’s summary and are not corroborated by the other documents.