Messi scores one, assists two as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in farewell match
Version 2: No substantive change to the news itself: the same 3-0 result, individual statistics and farewell remarks are reported, with a public broadcaster and a portal now also covering the occasion and no new facts or resolved disputes.
In short
Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina on October 6, a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires that Argentina won 3-0, with Messi scoring one goal and setting up two more in his 208th cap. The 39-year-old's penalty was his 126th goal for the national team. In a post-match ceremony he said he was full of gratitude for 20 years in the shirt and that he would now support the team from off the pitch.
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Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina on October 6, a friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires that Argentina won 3-0, with Messi scoring once and assisting twice, according to Nikkei, Mynavi News, Tokyo Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and NHK News. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The 39-year-old played the full match in his 208th appearance for Argentina, the reports said. Mynavi News, citing the Spanish newspaper As, reported that Nicolás Otamendi scored the opening goal in the 48th minute from a Messi corner, Nicolás Paz added the second in the 61st from a Messi pass and Messi converted a penalty in the 71st, his 126th international goal. Nikkei, Sankei and Nishi-Nippon described the same three goals as coming in the third, 16th and 26th minutes of the second half. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Yahoo! News Japan reported that play was interrupted in the 10th minute and fireworks were set off from the side of the pitch, with the stadium honouring Messi. [ 1 ]
After the match, Mynavi reported, Messi spoke at a ceremony to say farewell, saying: “There is so much I want to say. The first thing that comes to mind is my father. I am simply full of gratitude.” He said he was proud to have worn the shirt for 20 years, including difficult periods, and that it was hard to accept he would not return. He thanked his teammates and the crowds that filled stadiums wherever he played, and said he would now support the team from off the pitch. [ 3 ]
Nikkei, Sankei and Nishi-Nippon reported that Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005, won the World Cup in Qatar, finished as runner-up at this year's tournament in North America, and announced his international retirement on August 31. His 21 World Cup goals are second on the all-time list, they said, and he plays his club football for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. NHK News noted he made his debut in 2005 at the age of 18 and described the night as a graceful finish to his international career. [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Sankei Shimbun wrote that the Qatar title came in 2024, while Nikkei and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun wrote 2022; the documents do not resolve the discrepancy. Mynavi quoted Messi saying that the England match had been draining and that by the final he was close to his physical and mental limit, though the documents do not state the outcome of that final beyond Argentina's runner-up finish reported elsewhere. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Messi is described by the outlets as a global football star and Argentina's leading player, so his exit closes a two-decade international career that included a World Cup title and a record-equalling six World Cup appearances. The farewell drew a stadium tribute and coverage from business, tech, community and public-broadcaster outlets in Japan. The reports indicate he will continue playing at club level for Inter Miami.
Key facts
- Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in an international friendly in Buenos Aires on October 6, Messi's last match for the national team. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Messi, 39, played the full match and recorded one goal and two assists, involved in all three Argentina goals. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- It was his 208th appearance for Argentina, and his penalty was his 126th international goal. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Nicolás Otamendi scored from a Messi corner in the 48th minute and Nicolás Paz scored from a Messi pass in the 61st before Messi converted a penalty in the 71st. [ 3 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan reported that play was halted in the 10th minute and fireworks were set off from the side of the pitch as the stadium honoured Messi. [ 1 ]
- Messi said in the post-match ceremony that he was full of gratitude and that it was hard to leave the Argentina shirt. [ 3 ]
- Messi debuted for Argentina in 2005 at 18, won the World Cup in Qatar and announced his international retirement on August 31. [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- He plays his club football for Inter Miami in the United States. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in an international friendly in Buenos Aires on October 6, in what was Messi's final appearance for the national team. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Messi played the full match with one goal and two assists, taking part in all of Argentina's goals. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The match was Messi's 208th for Argentina and his penalty was his 126th international goal. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Messi is 39 years old, made his Argentina debut in 2005 and plays his club football for Inter Miami. [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Messi won the World Cup in Qatar and has 21 World Cup goals, second on the all-time list. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- The year of the Qatar World Cup that Argentina won Nikkei and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun date the title to 2022, while Sankei Shimbun states 2024.
- Argentina's opponent and score in the 2026 World Cup final Nikkei, Sankei and Nishi-Nippon report only that Argentina were runners-up at this year's tournament in North America; Mynavi quotes Messi referring to an England match and to reaching the final at his physical and mental limit, without giving the result.
- Whether Messi's retirement announcement came before or after the 2026 World Cup ended Nikkei, Sankei and Nishi-Nippon give August 31, while Mynavi says only that he had announced it after the 2026 World Cup finished.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yahoo! News Japan reports that the match was halted in the 10th minute and fireworks set off in tribute to Messi. [ 1 ]
- Nikkei reports Argentina's 3-0 win, Messi's one goal and two assists and his 126th international goal. [ 2 ]
- Mynavi News publishes Messi's post-match farewell remarks, citing the Spanish newspaper As. [ 3 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun reports Messi's goal and two assists in the Benin match. [ 4 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the same match details and Messi's career record. [ 5 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports the result and Messi's goal and two assists. [ 6 ]
- NHK News reports Messi's one goal and two assists in his Argentina farewell match. [ 7 ]