Lionel Messi brought an end to his legendary 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding an emotional farewell to 85,000 adoring supporters in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, widely recognized as the greatest player in football history, signed off with his 126th international goal as Argentina secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Benin.
Making his record-extending 208th international appearance, Messi set up the opening goal for veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi and saw Nico Paz add to the scoreline. The match itself, billed as “The Last Tango,” served as a backdrop for the massive celebration of Messi’s impact on Argentine football.
Before the game, emotional scenes unfolded as Messi wept on the team bus while traveling through dense crowds to the stadium. He walked onto the pitch accompanied by his three children, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from a VIP box. Prior to kick-off, a massive Argentina jersey featuring his iconic No 10 and the word “Gracias” (Thank You) was spread across the field to deafening cheers. Beforehand, Messi wiped away tears as the bus carrying him and his Argentina teammates made its way through crowds of well-wishers en route to the stadium.
The atmosphere grew even more emotional when Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana performed the national anthem next to a banner reading “The Malvinas are Argentine”—the same banner displayed by the national team after their famous 2-1 World Cup semi-final triumph over England. To honor his legendary shirt number, play was paused in the 10th minute for a minute-long standing ovation dedicated to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain icon.
Messi put a perfect seal on the night by converting a penalty in the 71st minute. Following the final whistle, a drone light show took over the night sky above the Monumental Stadium, displaying the likeness of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and thanking him for his incredible career.
This farewell match took place two and a half months after Argentina’s frustrating 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey, where Messi left the pitch in tears. “I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” he wrote following that disappointment.
Earlier on Tuesday, the University of Buenos Aires presented Messi with an honorary doctorate at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters. “To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!” joked Messi, who has previously voiced regret about not continuing his education. Outside the building, fans displayed a giant national flag featuring his image and the words, “The joy of my life.”
His former Barcelona teammate Neymar paid tribute on social media platform X, writing: “It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more.”
While Messi remains under contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami until 2028, he recently hinted that his overall retirement from football could come sooner than expected, following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago.
Messi’s international exit comes four years after his crowning achievement, when he guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title to end the nation’s 36-year drought and solidify his position as Diego Maradona’s true successor. During his historic tenure with the Albiceleste, Argentina won one World Cup, twice finished as runners-up in 2014 and 2026, and claimed two Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Expressing the thoughts of many supporters, 52-year-old fan Cecilia Adriano remarked, “I believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn’t bother me at all that he’s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest.”
