Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era
- On Wednesday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi ended his international career with a 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires, scoring the final goal in his last appearance for the National Team.
- The 39-year-old finished his career as Argentina's most-capped player with 208 appearances and 126 goals, having won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas during his 21-year spell.
- After Paz doubled Argentina's lead from the edge of the area, Messi addressed 85,000 fans following his penalty conversion to seal the 3-0 win against Benin Republic.
- Argentina National Team coach Lionel Scaloni said he never thought he would coach the best footballer in history, while Messi described playing for his country as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you."
- Former Barcelona teammate Neymar praised Messi on social media for his contributions to football, noting that his departure marks the end of an era for the sport globally.
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Karim Bennani looks back at the emotion of Lionel Messi, who played his last match with Argentina. On Tuesday night, he scored his 126th and final goal with the Albiceleste. The Argentine genius is now pursuing his club career at Inter Miami. (Sports).
"La Pulga" played his last game with the Albiceleste against Benin on 6 October 2026 in Buenos Aires.
Messi leaves Argentina's national team after 21 years with a fortune Forbes puts at US$1.1 billion
Lionel Messi played his last match for Argentina on Tuesday, a friendly against Benin that ended 3-0 at Buenos Aires' Monumental stadium before more than 80,000 spectators. At 39, he closes a 21-year international career while consolidating a fortune that Forbes estimates at US$1.1 billion.
The Argentine star had announced at the end of the summer that she would retire internationally, at 39 years of age.
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