Lionel Messi ends Argentina career with goal and two assists in 3-0 win over Benin

The farewell at Estadio Monumental

Thirty-nine-year-old captain Lionel Messi made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday in Buenos Aires, registering a goal and two assists in a 3-0 victory against Benin. An 85,000 capacity crowd filled Estadio Monumental after the match began with a 30-minute delay at 23:30 GMT. Before kickoff, stadium staff displayed a giant number 10 jersey inscribed with the word "Gracias" across half the pitch. Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana performed the national anthem beside a flag reading "Las Malvinas son argentinas", which the squad had displayed after defeating England 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. Messi walked onto the field alongside his three children, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia Cuccittini watched from the stands.

Match action and tributes

The referee halted play in the 10th minute as the stadium stood for a two-minute ovation accompanied by fireworks and chants. Argentina broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when defender Nicolás Otamendi, who also made his final international appearance, scored from a corner taken by Messi. Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou parried a Messi free kick in the 60th minute, but Nico Paz added a second goal in the 61st minute after receiving a pass from the captain. In the 70th minute, Messi converted a penalty into the top corner, and manager Lionel Scaloni kept him on the field for the full match.

Reactions from teammates

Tributes accompanied Messi's final appearance following his retirement announcement on 31 August 2026. Brazil forward Neymar, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, published a message on Instagram ahead of kickoff.

It's not only Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you have done for football.

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who plays alongside Messi for Argentina and Inter Miami, spoke about the captain's personal influence.

He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person. I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father and a better friend.

Former Argentina winger Angel Di Maria also reflected on the occasion.

Seeing him with so much happiness, and that tranquillity of knowing that he gave everything he had, is what makes us all happy.

Career honours and records

Earlier on Tuesday, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate at the Argentine Football Association headquarters. The farewell fixture drew former national team players to the stadium, including 1978 and 1986 World Cup winners Daniel Bertoni and Oscar Ruggeri, alongside Gonzalo Montiel. Messi concludes his 22-year international career having won the 2008 Olympics, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments, the 2023 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup. His international career closed two and a half months after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey.