THE LIONEL MESSI ERA AT ARGENTINA IS OVER WITH GOAL, ASSIST AND WIN!
The Lionel Messi era with the Argentina national team has officially come to an end — and fittingly, the legendary No. 10 signed off in the most Messi-like fashion possible.
In front of a packed Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi delivered one final masterclass for the Albiceleste, scoring a goal and providing two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3–0 in an emotional farewell match.
The victory marked Messi’s final appearance for Argentina after an extraordinary international career spanning 21 years. At 39, the captain walked onto the pitch for his 208th and final appearance in the famous blue-and-white shirt, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers football has ever witnessed.
A PERFECT FINAL PERFORMANCE
The match itself became a celebration of Messi’s legacy, but the Argentine captain ensured that the occasion was also about football.
After a goalless first half, Argentina eventually broke the deadlock through Nicolás Otamendi, with Messi playing a key role in creating the opening goal. He then produced another moment of brilliance to help Nico Paz find the net and put Argentina firmly in control.
The final chapter then belonged to Messi himself.
The Argentine captain stepped up from the penalty spot and calmly converted, sending the Monumental into another emotional celebration. It was his 126th international goal for Argentina, extending his record as the country’s all-time leading scorer.
Messi therefore finished his final international match with one goal and two assists, directly contributing to all three of Argentina’s goals.
It was a fitting ending for a player whose ability to score, create and control games has defined an entire generation of football.
THE END OF A 21-YEAR JOURNEY
Messi’s international story began more than two decades ago, and his journey with Argentina was anything but straightforward.
For years, the Barcelona legend faced enormous expectations and criticism whenever Argentina fell short of major international success. Despite reaching major finals, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, Messi repeatedly found himself under intense pressure to deliver a major trophy for his country.
Everything changed in 2021.
Argentina defeated Brazil to win the Copa América, giving Messi his first major senior international trophy with his country. A year later, he completed the greatest missing chapter of his career by leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar.
Those triumphs transformed the relationship between Messi and Argentina forever.
The player who had once faced questions over his international legacy was now celebrated as the leader who had finally delivered football’s biggest prize to his nation.
He went on to add further international silverware, cementing his status as one of Argentina’s greatest sporting figures.
208 APPEARANCES. 126 GOALS. ONE LEGENDARY ERA.
Messi leaves the Argentina national team as its most-capped player with 208 appearances and its all-time leading scorer with 126 goals.
His international legacy includes a FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima, alongside countless individual records and unforgettable performances.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Messi’s Argentina career included dramatic defeats, painful finals, moments of doubt, historic victories and ultimately the fulfilment of a dream that had once seemed impossible.
From the disappointment of losing major finals to lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar, his journey with Argentina became one of the defining stories of modern football.
AN EMOTIONAL GOODBYE AT THE MONUMENTAL
More than 85,000 supporters filled the Monumental to witness the final chapter.
The match was transformed into a national celebration, with tributes throughout the evening and supporters giving Messi an enormous ovation. Former World Cup-winning Argentina players were also present as the country said goodbye to its iconic captain.
When the final whistle sounded, the emotion finally took over.
Messi was surrounded by his teammates as the crowd repeatedly chanted his name. He then took one final lap around the stadium, waving to the supporters who had watched his extraordinary journey with the national team unfold.
Speaking to the crowd after the match, Messi expressed his love and gratitude for Argentina, telling the supporters that he would miss them and that he was proud to be Argentine.
THE END OF AN ERA — BUT NOT THE END OF MESSI
Although Messi’s international career is now over, his football journey continues at club level with Inter Miami.
His departure from Argentina, however, marks the end of an era for the national team.
For more than two decades, Argentina had Messi as its No. 10, captain and central figure. Generations of supporters grew up watching him represent the country, from his earliest international appearances to his final night beneath the lights of the Monumental.
And perhaps the most fitting part of his farewell was the performance itself.
A goal. Two assists. A 3–0 victory.
Lionel Messi leaves the Argentina national team exactly as he spent much of his career — creating, scoring, winning and giving millions of people another unforgettable football memory.
The Messi era is officially over.
Gracias por todo, Leo. 🇦🇷🐐
