“The match that caused the decision” and “The saddest night of my career.” The most prominent things Messi said on Argentina’s farewell night.

(CNN) - Argentine star Lionel Messi said that his retirement from international football was “the saddest day of his career,” after he concluded his career with the Argentine national team with a distinguished performance. He scored a penalty kick in the 71st minute and assisted two goals for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz, contributing to a 3-0 win over Benin.

This was the culmination of an illustrious international career that spanned more than two decades, as Messi played 208 matches for the Argentine national team and scored 126 goals since his first appearance in 2005.

Messi has always struggled to achieve success with the national team on the international stage, but his circumstances have changed under the leadership of Lionel Scaloni. Argentina won the “Copa America” title in 2021 and 2024, the “Vinalisima” tournament in 2022, and of course the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

However, Messi has now put an end to his career, telling his adoring fans - on an emotional night in the Argentine capital - that making this decision was bitter and difficult to accept.

“It has been a source of great pride for me to defend this shirt for more than 20 years,” Messi said.

He added: "Even in the worst moments we went through and lived through, I never stopped fighting, and I never stopped being here."

The Argentine legend continued: “It would be very painful to stop coming. I swear that I would like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a person.”

Liu added: “Here I am on the saddest day of my career. It is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, and to all of you.”

He continued: "But now I will be on that side [with the fans], supporting all the players, and everyone who joins the team. Always united."

Messi bid farewell to the scene in his usual style, as he made the first and second goals and then added a third goal from a penalty kick.

Some of Messi's teammates were clearly moved after the match, as the curtain came down on an exceptional era.

Messi referred to that World Cup semi-final confrontation against England as the decisive moment in his decision to retire.

Messi added: "Although I want to stay here all my life, I feel that this is the right moment. The last World Cup was a very heavy experience, given everything I went through."

“The flea” continued: “We had a dream to achieve my dream and the dream of the entire country: to become world champions again.”

He continued: “In the last World Cup, we were very close, and the reality is that nothing strange happened, as people say,” and he added: “The match against England drained us physically tremendously, and it also had a very great emotional impact.”

Messi added: "We achieved just enough, and we fought as we always used to while wearing this shirt, and with all my teammates with whom I shared moments; not only them, but also those who were with us in the times when we won. We were very close."