(Lionel Messi. PHOTO CREDIT: X/O.O.P)
Lionel Messi ended his international career in perfect style, scoring one goal and setting up two more as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell match at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
More than 85,000 fans watched the 39-year-old say goodbye to the national team after 21 years.
He was involved in all three goals on the night.
The game was goalless at halftime.
Then in the 48th minute, Nicolás Otamendi scored from close range after Messi sent in a corner.
Otamendi also retired from international football on the night.
The two shared four World Cups and 17 years with Argentina.
In the 61st minute, Messi set up Nico Paz to make it 2-0.
Ten minutes later, Agustín Giay was fouled in the box and Messi calmly scored the penalty to make it 3-0.
It was his 126th goal for Argentina.
The feelings off the pitch were just as strong.
Messi struggled to hold back tears during the national anthem.
His three children, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, joined him in the farewell ceremony, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from the stands.
A giant shirt with his number 10 and the word Gracias was shown before kickoff, and players from the 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cup-winning squads were also present.
After the final whistle, teammates and opponents gathered around Messi before he took a lap of honour.
Fans chanted his name, a drone show lit up the sky and singer Soledad Pastorutti performed in his honour.
(Lionel Messi iconic jersey PHOTO CREDIT: AFA on X)
Messi leaves with 208 caps and 126 goals, making him Argentina’s most capped player and top scorer.
He won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América, and reached nine finals with the national team.
Speaking to the crowd, he said it was hard to talk and that he had a lot going through his head.
He said wearing the shirt for more than 20 years was a huge source of pride, and that not coming back will hurt a lot.
He added that he would love to keep coming for the rest of his life because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a player.
