Messi bids farewell to Argentina's national team with a goal and two assists against Benin

Argentine football star Lionel Messi said goodbye to the national team on Tuesday. In his last match in the Argentina shirt, the 39-year-old scored and set up two goals, helping his side beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly.

The first half was goalless. Just three minutes into the second half, Nicolás Otamendi put Argentina ahead from a Messi corner. In the 61st minute Messi set up Nicolás Paz for the second goal, and in the 71st minute he converted a penalty himself. The match was played in front of 85,000 spectators at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Messi stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Over 21 years with the national team he has made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals, and he is the team's record holder in both categories.

Words to the fans

After the match Messi addressed the crowd in the stadium. He said it had been a great source of pride to wear the shirt for more than 20 years, that he never stopped fighting and always gave everything. In his view, playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a person. He promised to keep supporting the team and the players who come after him, and acknowledged that difficult times lie ahead, since what this squad has achieved will not be easy to repeat.

Career with the national team

Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. This year the team came close to another title, but lost the final 1-0 to Spain after extra time. He was also part of the squad in 2014, when Argentina lost the final to Germany. In 2021 and 2024 Messi won the South American championship, the Copa America, with the national side.

Messi is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he has won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times. His club career continues: he plays for Inter Miami of Major League Soccer in the United States, with a contract running until 2028.