Buenos Aires did not feel like a football stadium on this night. It felt like the closing chapter of a national story, as Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina and left the Monumental in tears.
The 39-year-old scored from the penalty spot and created two goals as Argentina beat Benin 3-0. It was his 208th and final international appearance, taking his Argentina record to 126 goals.
Messi had announced his retirement from international football in August. His farewell also came after the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68, following a long illness.
The emotion was clear before kick-off. Messi was seen wiping away tears on the team bus and looked deeply moved during the national anthem.
The Monumental was packed with 85,000 supporters. A giant Argentina shirt with Messi’s famous number 10 and “gracias” spread across the pitch, while fireworks welcomed the players.
Messi then delivered the moment everyone had waited for.
After a goalless first half, he helped Argentina break the deadlock. His corner caused problems in the Benin defence before Nicolas Otamendi finished from close range.
Messi then set up Nico Paz for Argentina’s second before completing the score himself. Agustin Giay was brought down inside the box, allowing Messi to send the penalty into the top corner.
Even then, he was not finished. He struck the post late on and had earlier seen two free-kicks saved as he continued to influence the game.
After the final whistle, Messi spoke to the crowd for almost 10 minutes.
“There are so many emotions going through me right now,” he said. “I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.”
His words brought tears to several team-mates, including Enzo Fernandez.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also struggled to hide his emotions. “It’s been a dream come true. I never thought I’d be the coach of the best footballer in history,” he said.
Messi leaves behind a remarkable international legacy. He won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles, while becoming Argentina’s record appearance holder and leading scorer.
For more than two decades, Argentina watched Messi grow from a teenage debutant into the country’s greatest football hero.
Now, the shirt remains. The number 10 remains. But its greatest wearer has finally said goodbye.
