Lionel Messi kicked off his farewell to Argentina with a bang, scoring his 126th goal for the national team as he bid adieu to the Argentine national team with a 3-0 win over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. He also had two assists to go with his goal. The 39-year-old captain was directly involved in all three goals.
A farewell worthy of Messi’s Argentina career
The greatest career in football, more than 85,000 supporters gathered to the Monumental to pay tribute to Messi on the last time he would wear an Argentina shirt. Cheers, applause and a load of emotions for the captain, who closed his 21-year international spell. It was also Messi’s 208th match for Argentina. The build-up to the game was equally emotional, with fans giving Messi a rapturous reception on the pitch before kick-off. During the game itself, a particularly poignant moment was when supporters applauded No. 10 in the 10th minute.
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Messi contributes to all three goals
Goals from Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz, each of whom was set up by Messi, saw Argentina lead after a goalless first half. It was then left to Messi. Having been fouled in the box by Maduro, the captain scored from the penalty spot to notch his 126th international goal and give Argentina a 3-0 win in the 71st minute.
The end of a historic international journey
Following his departure from the national team, Messi also scored more goals for Argentina than anyone else, with 126 from 208 games. He captained his country to the 2021 and 2024 Copa Américas and the 2022 World Cup, ending Argentina’s wait for another world title. The farewell may have been the end of Messi’s international career, but his impact on Argentine football continues. The final victory provided fans with the perfect chance to finally revel in a player who truly defined one of the greatest epochs of football in Argentina.
