Messi Bows Out of International Football as Argentina Beat Benin 3-0

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Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi brought down the curtain on his extraordinary 21-year international career as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a friendly match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. In his final encounter for the national team, the 39 years old captain offered a magnificent goodbye, scoring a penalty and giving two assists. Over 85,000 people gathered to see the heartbreaking event and say goodbye to one of Argentina's greatest football stars.

Argentina took the lead through veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, with Messi providing the assist. Nico Paz then extended the lead before Messi sealed the victory with a 71st-minute penalty, bringing his international record to 126 goals. The game was Messi's 208th appearance for Argentina.

The farewell was full of passionate sentiments. The football was briefly delayed in the tenth minute to commemorate Messi's iconic No. 10 shirt, as the crowd held huge banners applauding the captain. Messi appeared clearly upset during the national anthem and after the final whistle, as teammates, family members, and fans praised his outstanding contribution to Argentine football.

Messi leaves international football having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima with Argentina. Following the match, he described his retirement as the ‘saddest day’ of his career, stating that serving Argentina for more than two decades had been a source of great pride. His departure marks the end of one of the most memorable episodes in world football, but he is still under contract with Inter Miami.