Lionel Messi bids emotional farewell to Argentina after final international appearance

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 7, 2026: Lionel Messi ended his remarkable 21-year international career in emotional fashion on Tuesday, scoring once and setting up two goals as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a friendly at the Monumental Stadium.

Playing his final match for Argentina in front of more than 85,000 fans, the 39-year-old captain was given a hero’s farewell as the night turned into a celebration of his extraordinary contribution to the national team.

Across Buenos Aires, landmarks were illuminated in Argentina’s iconic sky-blue and white colours, while fireworks lit up the sky above the packed stadium. Fans joined in a passionate rendition of the national anthem as they paid tribute to their captain.

“It’s hard to talk,” Messi said after the match, with his family watching from the stands alongside members of Argentina’s 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cup-winning teams.

“There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is my old man,” he said, referring to the recent death of his father.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years. Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you,” Messi added.

‘Gracias’ to Messi

Earlier in the day, a giant No. 10 shirt bearing the word “Gracias” was displayed at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown.

As the Argentina team bus travelled from the training centre named after him, Messi was visibly emotional as thousands of supporters lined the streets to bid him farewell.

Benin captain Steve Mounié also paid tribute to Messi before kick-off, presenting him with a gift and a letter during the pre-match handshake.

The first half ended goalless, but Messi soon made his mark after the break. He provided the assist for Nicolas Otamendi to open the scoring, with the defender tapping home Argentina’s first goal.

Otamendi, who shared 17 years with Messi in the national team and played alongside him at four World Cups, was also bringing his international career to a close.

Messi then set up Nico Paz, one of the young players regarded as a potential successor to Argentina’s No. 10, for the second goal.

The perfect farewell came when Messi converted a penalty to make it 3-0, scoring his 126th international goal and prompting another deafening round of “Messi, Messi” chants from the crowd.

At the final whistle, teammates, opponents and the referee gathered around Messi to embrace him. A drone show then illuminated the sky before Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti, known as “La Sole”, performed her signature song “Brindis” as part of the tribute.

Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and its all-time leading scorer. After years of international disappointment, he helped transform Argentina’s fortunes by leading the team to Copa America and World Cup glory.

For years, Argentina asked Messi to deliver. On Tuesday, it simply came together to say: “Thank you, Leo.”