CCN Sport Reporter – George April
Buenos Aires, Argentina:- Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, brought the curtain down on his legendary international career Tuesday night in a night of pure emotion at Estadio Monumental.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 85,000, the 39-year-old Argentine superstar played his 208th and final match for the national team, scoring once and providing two assists in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin in an occasion billed as “The Last Tango.”
Messi, who announced his international retirement in August after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain, signed off in classic fashion. He assisted Nicolas Otamendi’s opening goal from a corner in the 48th minute, set up Nico Paz for the second in the 61st, and coolly converted a penalty in the 71st minute for his 126th international goal, a national record.
The match was stopped in the 10th minute for a prolonged standing ovation in honor of Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt. He walked onto the pitch with his three children, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia Cuccittini watched from a VIP box. A giant “Gracias” jersey was laid out on the field before kickoff, and a spectacular drone show illuminated the sky with Messi’s image after the final whistle.
Visibly emotional throughout the evening, Messi wiped away tears on the team bus and again during the national anthem. In a heartfelt post-match speech, he told the roaring crowd:
“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years… Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear I’d like to come here all my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”
He also paid tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away earlier this year.
Messi’s 21-year journey with Argentina included the 2022 World Cup title, Copa América triumphs in 2021 and 2024, and countless unforgettable moments that cemented his status as a national hero and global icon. He leaves as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
While his international chapter has closed, Messi will continue playing club football with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where his contract runs through 2028.
The world of football – and an entire nation – said thank you one last time:
