Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding farewell to Argentina fans in an emotional final appearance for the former world champions in Buenos Aires. In a finale that unfolded almost as script, the 39-year-old signed off with his 126th international goal, in his record-extending 208th cap, as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Benin in front of 85,000 supporters at the Monumental Stadium.
Messi provided two assists on the night, setting up the opening goal for the veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, with Nico Paz also scoring for Argentina. He added his own goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute. The match was halted in the 10th minute — a nod to Messi’s famous shirt number — for a minute-long ovation to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward.
The result was a footnote to the occasion itself, which had been billed as The Last Tango. Earlier in the day, Messi wiped away tears as the bus carrying him and his Argentina teammates made its way through crowds of well-wishers en route to the stadium. He took the field alongside his three children and received affectionate waves from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, who watched from a VIP box.
Shortly before kick-off, a giant Argentina jersey bearing the word “Gracias” above the superstar’s No 10 was laid out on the pitch as the crowd roared its approval. Messi welled up again as Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang the national anthem beside a banner reading “The Malvinas are Argentine” — the same banner held aloft by players after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England. At the final whistle, a drone show lit up the night sky above the stadium, displaying Messi’s image and thanking the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for his career.
His farewell came two and a half months after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey, where Messi exited in tears after making little impression in an ill-tempered 1-0 loss. “I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote at the time.
Before Tuesday’s game, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate in a ceremony at the Argentine Football Association headquarters. Messi, who has in the past spoken of his regret at not studying more, expressed pride at the distinction. “To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!” he joked. Outside the AFA headquarters, fans unfurled a huge Argentine flag bearing his image and the words “The joy of my life.”
Tributes followed from across the game, including from former Barcelona teammate Neymar, who wrote on X: “It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more.”
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated. His international departure comes four years after his greatest triumph, leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup to end the country’s 36-year wait for a third title and cementing his status as Diego Maradona’s heir. During his time with the Albiceleste, Argentina won one World Cup, were runners-up twice — at Brazil 2014 and North America 2026 — and were crowned Copa América champions in 2021 and 2024.
Among those in the crowd was Cecilia Adriano, 52, who said: “I believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn’t bother me at all that he’s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest.”