Lionel Messi’s tears reflected the emotion of millions of Argentines inside and outside the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. With the memory of his father weighing heavily on him, Messi called his final appearance for Argentina “perhaps the saddest day of my career.”
It was a farewell worthy of perhaps the greatest No. 10 ever to wear Argentina’s blue and white. The ceremony was filled with emotion—an occasion Diego Maradona, the only other player to seriously challenge Messi’s claim to that status, never received.
Long after Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Benin, Messi told the more than 80,000 supporters in attendance, “I don’t want to leave.” The feeling was shared by everyone who had gathered to see him one last time. Messi scored his 208th and final international goal and supplied two assists.
Supporters hoping for one last flash of Messi brilliance were not disappointed. He created Argentina’s first two goals before scoring himself, adding a final flourish to his time in the national team’s sky blue and white. His international legacy includes two Copa America titles, an Olympic gold medal and, above all, the World Cup.
The emotion began well before kickoff. Tears streamed down the face of the diminutive giant of the beautiful game as he traveled on the team bus and later stood on the pitch for the national anthem, joined by his three sons.
A giant tifo depicting an Argentina shirt and bearing the words “Gracias 10” in gold stretched across the field. The tribute was echoed in the team’s gold names and numbers, while Messi’s stylized “M” logo took the place of Adidas’ familiar three stripes.
Lionel Messi made his final appearance for Argentina during an emotional farewell in Buenos Aires
The World Cup winner fought back tears during the national anthem
Benin provided the fitting opposition for a match honoring one of Argentina’s greatest sporting figures
In the 10th minute, the match was paused for a standing ovation as fireworks illuminated the night sky. Benin’s players joined more than 80,000 Argentine supporters in applauding Messi’s extraordinary career.
None of Argentina’s other players attempted to take the spotlight from Messi. In a country where machismo remains deeply woven into the culture, that selflessness offered another measure of what the captain represents.
His teammates found their own ways to honor him. Goalkeeper Enzo “Dibu” Martinez, famous for his striking hairstyles, had Messi’s “M” logo shaved into the back of his head for the occasion.
After a career filled with unforgettable moments, the crowd at the Monumental wanted one more. They hoped Messi would provide a final chance to sing his name at full volume.
The first half brought three promising opportunities in quick succession. A clever pass from Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo de Paul found Messi’s sliding boot, but the ball rolled just wide of the goalkeeper’s right post. Two minutes later, a trademark Messi free kick was tipped past the post.
Messi went close again in the 32nd minute, sending a fine chance created by Lautaro Martinez’s pass narrowly wide.
The teams went into halftime without a goal, leaving the crowd slightly frustrated but eagerly anticipating the final 45 minutes of Messi’s Argentina career.
Before the second half began, musician Gaspar Benegas performed for the crowd on acoustic guitar alongside a cellist. The instrumental pairing suited an evening billed as “El Ultimo Tango.”
Fireworks lit up the sky above Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental
Thousands of supporters applauded Messi as he warmed up for his final Argentina fixture
Messi’s sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, joined him during the national anthem
Messi’s first chance at goal just rolled wide off his lunging boot only 24 minutes in
Messi was lifted up by Nicolas Otamendi, who is also retiring, after creating the opening goal
It didn’t take long. Just four minutes past the restart, Messi whipped in an Argentina corner for an unmarked Nicolas Otamendi, who also played his final match for La Albiceleste. Otamendi raced over to Messi, lifting him up in celebration as the crowd sang their hearts out.
Minutes later, Otamendi received his final bow. He applauded the Monumental, hugged Messi one final time and then trotted off the pitch to be replaced by Lisandro Martinez.
Another Messi free kick was parried away in the 60th minute by keeper Marcel Dandjinou, despite the well struck chance from the No. 10.
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While the occasion was built to honor the past, Argentina’s future got a chance to shine. Messi fed another ball to Como maestro Nico Paz, who curled an exquisite left-footed shot past the keeper to double the lead.
After creating chances for others, the passionate thousands wondered and begged for Messi to generate one of his own.
Nico Paz (18) celebrates with Lionel Messi after he created the Como forward’s goal
Then, in the 71st minute, Messi converted a penalty for the third goal on the evening
Messi’s teammates surrounded him and lifted him up after the conversion
Messi then pointed to the heavens, his trademark goal celebration, for one final time
It arrived in the 69th minute, when a penalty was given after Agustin Giay was fouled inside the box and referee Fernando Véjar pointed to the spot.
His whistle blew. Messi drew a breath, then a pause. Up he strode and then sublimely struck the ball into the top right corner to crown the evening with the moment millions in Argentina and across the world waited for.
Messi’s teammates mobbed him, forming a circle and jumping around him. In the stands his sons sang with the revelers as his mother, Celia, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, smiled and clapped.
Messi’s point to the heavens – a goal celebration he’s done for years – was done with extra meaning. The 39-year-old looked up to the night sky only months after the passing of his father, Jorge.
Time ticked down on the match and on Messi. It may be fitting that he had the final kick of the game, a set piece from 21 meters out.
Fans in the audience were reduced to tears at the final sight of Messi in the Argentina shirt
Even teammates, like Enzo Fernandez, let their emotions out as Messi addressed the audience
Messi’s wife, Antonela, holds her son, Mateo, as the footballer spoke to the crowd
Véjar handed Messi his cards before blowing the whistle on full time. Teammates and opponents came over with congratulations as Benin players took selfies to mark the evening’s significance.
A drone show lit up the night sky with Messi’s name, number and shirt. The lights then showed him kicking a ball and holding the World Cup trophy.
As tears fell from the eyes of his countrymen, his teammates, coach Lionel Scaloni, and Messi’s family, singer Soledad Pastorutti crooned an anthem and hugged the football star twice before handing the athletic hero the microphone for one final message.
Messi reflected on the passing of his father before saying, ‘I can only thank you all. It has been a huge pride to defend this shirt for over 20 years. We never stopped fighting, never stopped giving everything. Playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing.’
He also addressed the heartbreak of the previous summer: ‘We were close to winning the World Cup again.’
Messi too was emotional, letting the tears out throughout the tributes to him
Messi added, ‘We gave everything at the World Cup. The game against England was huge for us… We fought with all of our power. We fought all of our lives… Have no doubt that we always gave everything for this shirt.’
After thanking his teammates, Messi mused: ‘This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team. But I’ll be here supporting whoever comes next. When we are united we are stronger than anyone else.’
He ended his speech with gratitude: ‘I don’t want to leave this place. I don’t want to leave the field. I love all of you, and I will miss all of you. I am proud to be Argentinian.’
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