Lionel Messi has said goodbye to the Argentina national team after more than two decades of representing his country, marking the emotional end of his 21-year international career in front of a packed stadium in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old superstar received a hero’s farewell as Argentina defeated Benin Republic 3-0 in his final appearance for the national team, with Messi scoring his 126th international goal and assisting Nicolas Otamendi for the opening goal.
Nico Paz also found the net as Argentina cruised to victory, but the result was secondary to the emotional significance of the night.
Messi, making his record-extending 208th international appearance, was visibly emotional even before the match. He wiped away tears as the team bus travelled through crowds of supporters on its way to the stadium.
He later walked onto the pitch alongside his three children, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from the VIP section.
A giant Argentina jersey carrying Messi’s famous No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was also displayed on the pitch as thousands of fans celebrated the departing captain.
The match was temporarily stopped in the 10th minute in honour of Messi, whose iconic shirt number has become synonymous with his career.
He eventually capped the occasion with a penalty in the 71st minute, sending the Monumental Stadium into another celebration.
Speaking to supporters after the match, Messi admitted that leaving the national team would be extremely difficult for him despite believing that the time had come to step away.
“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” Messi said.
“Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”
Despite his emotional attachment to the national team, Messi said he had no regrets about his decision.
He pointed to the demanding World Cup campaign and the difficult personal circumstances surrounding it, including the serious illness of his late father, as part of the reasons behind his decision.
“Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through,” he said.
At the final whistle, a drone display filled the night sky with images of Messi and tributes celebrating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s extraordinary career.
Messi had previously explained his decision by saying he believed he had given everything he could to Argentina and that younger players deserved an opportunity.
“I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” he had said.
Before the farewell match, the University of Buenos Aires also honoured Messi with an honorary doctorate during a ceremony at the Argentine Football Association headquarters.
The football star, who has previously spoken about regretting not spending more time on his education, joked about the recognition.
“To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!” he said.
Outside the AFA headquarters, supporters displayed a huge Argentine flag featuring Messi alongside the words, “The joy of my life.”
His former Barcelona teammate Neymar also paid tribute to him on social media, thanking Messi for his contribution to football and saying his influence extended beyond Argentina.
“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,” Neymar wrote.
Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although he has previously indicated that he could retire from professional football earlier than expected.
His departure from international football comes four years after arguably the biggest achievement of his career with Argentina — leading the country to the 2022 World Cup title and ending a 36-year wait for another world championship.
The triumph also cemented his place among Argentina’s greatest football icons and strengthened comparisons with the legendary Diego Maradona.
During Messi’s international career, Argentina won the World Cup once, finished runners-up twice, including the 2014 and 2026 tournaments, and won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.
As the farewell celebrations continued, fans and former teammates paid tribute to a player whose career with Argentina included triumphs, painful defeats and ultimately the biggest international prize.
“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,” one supporter, Cecilia Adriano, said.
Source: AFP.
