Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, scoring one goal and setting up two others as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a farewell friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
More than 85,000 fans packed the stadium to witness the 39-year-old captain's final appearance in the blue and white of Argentina. The occasion was as much a national celebration as a football match.
Landmarks across Buenos Aires glowed in the team's sky blue and white colours. Fireworks lit up the sky above the stadium as fans delivered a thunderous rendition of the national anthem.
Hours before kick-off, a giant number 10 shirt emblazoned with the word "Gracias" — "Thank You" — was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi's hometown.
As the team bus travelled from the training centre bearing his name, Messi wiped away tears as thousands of supporters lined the route. On the pitch, Benin's captain appeared lost for words as he handed Messi a gift and a letter during the pre-match handshake.
The first half ended goalless, but Messi quickly made his mark after the break. He provided an assist for Nicolas Otamendi, who tapped home Argentina's opener. Otamendi, who spent 17 years alongside Messi in the national team across four World Cups, was also playing his final international match.
Messi then set up Nico Paz — widely regarded as a potential successor to the number 10 shirt — to score the second goal.
The evening reached its fairytale conclusion when Messi converted a penalty to make it 3-0. The strike was his 126th international goal, prompting another wave of "Messi, Messi" chants from the crowd.
At the final whistle, teammates, opponents and the referee gathered around Messi for embraces. A drone show lit up the night sky, followed by a live performance from Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti, known as "La Sole", who sang her signature song "Brindis" as part of the tribute.
Messi's family watched from the stands, joined by members of Argentina's World Cup-winning squads from 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Speaking after the match, Messi struggled to contain his emotions. "It's hard to talk," he said. "There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is my old man," he added, in reference to the recent death of his father.
"It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years. Not coming any more is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I'd love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."
Messi finishes his international career as Argentina's most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and as the country's all-time record scorer. He led Argentina to World Cup and Copa America glory after years of near misses on the international stage.
