Messi Signs Off in Style as Argentina Beat Benin 3-0

Lionel Messi brought his Argentina career to an emotional close by scoring in a 3-0 victory over Benin in a farewell international friendly in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

Playing his final match for the national team at the Estadio Monumental, Messi was involved in all three goals. He provided the corner for Nicolás Otamendi's opener, set up Nico Paz for the second and then scored Argentina's third from the penalty spot.

The result gave Argentina a fitting celebration for one of the greatest international careers in football history.

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Messi at the heart of Argentina's victory

After a goalless first half, Argentina took the lead three minutes after the restart.

Messi delivered a corner into the penalty area and Otamendi met it with a volley to make it 1-0 in the 48th minute. The goal was particularly significant as Otamendi was also making his farewell appearance for Argentina.

Messi then turned provider again in the 61st minute. Nico Paz received his pass and produced a composed finish to double Argentina's advantage.

The 39-year-old finally got his own name on the scoresheet in the 71st minute, converting a penalty to make it 3-0.

The goal was Messi's 126th for Argentina, extending his record as the country's leading international scorer.

An emotional farewell at the Monumental

The match was about much more than the result. More than 85,000 supporters gathered at the Monumental to celebrate Messi's final appearance in Argentina's colours.

The game was briefly stopped in the 10th minute as the crowd rose to applaud the Argentina No. 10. Fireworks and other tributes formed part of an evening designed to honour Messi's extraordinary contribution to the national team.

Messi was visibly emotional during the national anthem, while Argentina's players and staff also shared in the occasion.

The Argentine Football Association had described the match as a farewell that would go beyond football, with supporters given the chance to see their captain play for the country one final time.

The end of a remarkable international career

Messi had already announced his decision to retire from international football after Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign. Argentina reached the final in the United States, where they were beaten by Spain.

The farewell against Benin was therefore a final opportunity for Messi to wear the Argentina shirt in front of his home supporters.

His international career ends with a World Cup title from 2022, Copa América triumphs in 2021 and 2024, and a record haul of goals and appearances for Argentina.

For a player whose relationship with Argentina was once complicated by criticism and disappointment, the final chapter could hardly have been more fitting: Messi scored, created goals and left the field to a stadium-wide celebration.

The era of Messi in the Argentina shirt is now over.