Messi scores and assists twice in final Argentina match, 3-0 win over Benin
In short
Lionel Messi played his final Argentina match on 6 October local time, recording one goal and two assists in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Korean outlets reported it was his 208th and last cap, ending a national-team career they put at 21 or 22 years. Ceremonies including a drone show and music performances followed the game, with attendance reported at 84,000 or more than 85,000.
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Lionel Messi marked his final Argentina appearance with one goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on 6 October local time, according to Korean outlets citing AP and OSEN. Messi, 39 and playing for Inter Miami, completed the full match, Chosun Ilbo reported, and every Argentina goal came through him. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
Nico Paz scored Argentina's second goal in the 16th minute of the second half, and Messi converted a penalty in the 26th minute for the third, Newsis reported. Dong-A Ilbo said Messi assisted goals by Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before scoring himself. [ 3 , 7 ]
The match was Messi's 208th and last cap, according to Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo, and Chosun Ilbo said he finished with 126 international goals and 70 assists. Sports Chosun reported that Messi had announced his international retirement in a handwritten letter and said coach Lionel Scaloni was in tears. Dong-A Ilbo put his national team career at 21 years, while Sports Chosun said 22 years. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Ceremonies surrounded the game. Dong-A Ilbo reported that more than 85,000 spectators filled the stadium and that music performances and a drone show followed, while Sports Chosun put the crowd at 84,000 and said a message reading “GRACIAS” was displayed. Newsis reported a drone show depicting Messi in the sky above the stadium after the final whistle. [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]
Fans from Korea, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, China, Vietnam and European countries gathered around the Monumental hours before kick-off, Dong-A Ilbo reported. One overseas fan told the paper that “Messi is the reason we love football” and that a 40-hour flight “is nothing”. [ 7 ]
Why it matters
Messi is the most-followed figure in Argentine football, and local Korean coverage treated the farewell as the end of an era for the sport rather than a routine friendly. The match also drew travelling fans from Asia, including Korea, which is why Korean outlets gave it prominent play despite the game being played in South America. The documents give no further consequences beyond the send-off itself.
Key facts
- Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on 6 October local time. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Lionel Messi, 39, who plays for Inter Miami, scored one goal and provided two assists in the match. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The match was Messi's 208th and final appearance for Argentina. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Messi finished his international career with 126 goals, Chosun Ilbo reported, and 70 assists. [ 2 , 6 ]
- Messi converted a second-half penalty for Argentina's third goal, and Nico Paz scored the second. [ 3 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reported more than 85,000 spectators, while Sports Chosun reported 84,000. [ 6 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Messi recorded one goal and two assists in what was described as his Argentina farewell match. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The match was Messi's 208th cap for Argentina. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Messi's national team career ended with the Benin match, per multiple outlets. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- The attendance figure for the match. Dong-A Ilbo said more than 85,000 spectators filled the stadium, while Sports Chosun reported 84,000.
- The length of Messi's Argentina career. Dong-A Ilbo said 21 years, while Sports Chosun said 22 years.
- Messi's total of 70 international assists. This figure appears in only one document, Chosun Ilbo.
- Who scored Argentina's first goal. Only Dong-A Ilbo names Nicolás Otamendi as the scorer of a goal assisted by Messi; other accounts of the scorers are truncated.
- Messi scored 126 goals for Argentina. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kukmin Ilbo reports that Messi marked his farewell match with one goal and two assists. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports Argentina's 3-0 win over Benin, Messi's 126 goals and 70 assists, and his 208th cap. [ 2 ]
- Newsis publishes AP photographs and reports Nico Paz's second-half goal, Messi's penalty goal and a drone show above the stadium. [ 3 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports Messi played the full match and that all three Argentina goals came through him. [ 4 ]
- Sports Chosun reports Messi ended 22 years with the national team with one goal and two assists. [ 5 ]
- Sports Chosun reports the 208-cap, 126-goal total, a tearful coach and a crowd of 84,000. [ 6 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reports fans from Korea and other countries gathering hours before kick-off, more than 85,000 spectators, and Messi assisting goals by Otamendi and Nico Paz before scoring a penalty. [ 7 ]