Lionel Messi brought his legendary 21-year international career to a close on Wednesday night, scoring from the penalty spot and setting up two other goals as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in an emotionally charged farewell match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. More than 85,000 fans packed the ground to honour the 39-year-old widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, in an occasion billed as 'The Last Tango'.
The night was far less about the football itself and far more a national celebration — a chance for Argentina to say thank you to the man who transformed years of international heartbreak into a legacy of World Cup and Copa America glory. Lionel Messi finished his international career as Argentina's most-capped player with 208 appearances and its all-time leading scorer with 126 goals, both records he had already made his own.
A Night of Tears, Tribute and Records
The emotion began well before kick-off. As the team bus wound its way through the streets toward the stadium, thousands of supporters lined the route, and Messi was visibly moved — wiping away tears as the crowds cheered him through the city. Landmarks across Buenos Aires were bathed in Argentina's sky blue and white, while fireworks erupted above the heaving stadium as fans roared through the national anthem, sung alongside Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana.
On the pitch, a giant No.10 jersey bearing the word "Gracias" — Spanish for "Thank You" — was unfurled before kick-off, drawing a thunderous roar from the crowd. Messi took the field accompanied by his three children, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia Cuccittini watched from a VIP box. In the stands, some of Argentina's World Cup winners from 1978, 1986 and 2022 were also in attendance.
In the 10th minute — a deliberate nod to Messi's iconic shirt number — play was paused for a minute-long standing ovation. When Benin captain Sessi D'Almeida handed Messi a gift and a letter during the pre-match handshake, he appeared lost for words in the face of the occasion.
The Goals That Wrote the Perfect Ending
Argentina's opening goal arrived in the second half, with Messi providing the assist for veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, who was also retiring from international duty after 17 years alongside Messi and four World Cup campaigns. Messi then turned provider again for Nico Paz — one of the young players seen as a potential future heir to the No.10 shirt — to make it 2-0.
The fairytale ending came in the 71st minute, when Messi stepped up to convert a penalty and seal his 126th international goal, sending the crowd into raptures. At the final whistle, teammates, opponents and even the referee surrounded him for embraces on the pitch. A drone show then lit up the Buenos Aires sky, projecting Messi's image and honouring his extraordinary contribution to Argentine football.
Addressing the crowd afterwards, Messi was visibly overcome. "I love all of you, and I will miss all of you. I am proud to be Argentine," he told the stadium. "It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years. Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I'd like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."
Why Messi Chose Now to Walk Away
Messi had announced his international retirement following Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey roughly two and a half months earlier — a 1-0 loss in which he was unable to make his usual impact, leaving the field in tears. "I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance," he wrote at the time.
On Wednesday he elaborated further on his reasoning, pointing to a gruelling World Cup campaign that coincided with his father being seriously ill. "Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through," he said. Despite the pain of stepping away, he was clear he had no regrets about the decision. For those wanting to revisit the tournament that made the farewell inevitable, Messi's magic run to the World Cup final against Spain captured just how much he poured into that campaign.
Earlier on Wednesday, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate at a ceremony held at the Argentine Football Association headquarters — a distinction that clearly delighted the man who has previously spoken of regretting not studying more. "To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!" he joked at the ceremony.
"Even through the worst moments we went through, I never stopped fighting, battling, giving everything I had, wanting to always be here," he told supporters after the final whistle. For Argentina, Wednesday night was not about asking anything more of their greatest-ever player. It was simply their chance to say goodbye — and thank you.
