Lionel Messi played his last game for the national team. In his farewell match for the national team, Messi scored a goal, and after the game he addressed the stands with a 10-minute speech.
Messi announced his retirement from the national team at the end of August.
“I gave [the national team] everything, I can’t give anything more to them, and besides, I have wonderful young players behind me who deserve to be given a chance,” the 39-year-old Argentina captain wrote at the time.
The country's football federation then organized Messi's farewell match. Benin became Argentina's rival. In his last game in the blue and white shirt, Messi did not disappoint the 85,000 fans gathered at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
He took part in all three goals: first, Messi gave two assists, and at the end he converted a penalty. This is his 126th and final goal for Argentina.
Before the match began, players were greeted by spectacular fireworks as they entered the field, and a giant Argentina jersey with number ten, Messi's surname and the word "gracias" ("thank you") was spread across the pitch.
Ten minutes into the game, the match was stopped to allow for more fireworks and another standing ovation for Messi. It was an opportunity for the Benin national team players to approach the legend and shake his hand.
As for the game itself, Messi was usually at the center of all Argentine attacks. He had the opportunity to score more than once: twice the captain scored from free kicks, and at the end of the match he also hit the post.
After the match, Lionel Messi addressed the stands. “Even in the most difficult times, I never stopped fighting, always gave my best and was always in the ranks. Parting with the team will cause me deep pain. I swear, I would like to come here all my life, because playing for Argentina is the best thing that can happen,” he said in his farewell speech.
“Honestly, I talk more today than ever. I don't want to leave, I don't want to leave the field. I just want to say that I love you all and will miss you. I am eternally grateful to God that I am Argentine - I am proud of this and that I was able to fulfill my dreams with you,” concluded Messi.
For a long time it was believed that Messi had a better career at the club level than in the national team. While he was shining at Barcelona, Argentina failed to win a major tournament for years. The only exception was the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but at this tournament it is not the main teams that compete, but youth teams (under 23 years old).
Argentina remained second forever, despite Messi. The team lost the 2014 World Cup final and lost in decisive matches at the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America. In 2016, 29-year-old Messi was thinking about leaving the national team. “International trophies are simply not for me,” Messi said after another defeat.
But in the last five years Argentina have won everything they can. In 2021, Messi finally lifted the America's Cup over his head, and in 2024 the team won the continental tournament again.
In 2022, Argentina won the World Cup. And four years later, she reached the final again, but this time lost to Spain.
At the club level, Messi will continue his career. His contract with the American MLS club Inter Miami runs until 2028.
