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Lionel Messi made his debut for Argentina against Hungary on August 17, 2005 and received a red card in his first game. Since then he has played 208 international matches and scored 126 goals. He won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
»It has been an honor to wear this jersey for the last 20 years. I never stopped fighting. Not being there anymore will hurt me a lot. Playing for the Argentine national team is the best thing that can happen to you," said an emotional Messi after the final whistle.
“The moment has come”
Before the game, Messi said in a video posted on Instagram: “The moment has come. (...) This jersey was my dream, my pride and my life. Thank you for loving me so much, I will miss you.”
The game against Benin was the end of an international career spanning over 21 years, which had started very bumpily against Hungary on August 17, 2005. Because on his debut, substitute Messi received a red card in less than a minute, which the German referee Markus Merk showed him for an assault.
Winning the Copa América in 2021 was the first important title that Messi was able to celebrate with the “Albiceleste”. The absolute highlight was the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. Another success at the Copa América (2024) as well as two runner-up championships (2014 and 2026) round off Messi's impressive career in the national team, where he is the record player (208 games) and record goalscorer (126 goals).
Messi announced his resignation from the national team at the end of August. The loss of the World Cup final against Spain and thus the shattered dream of successfully defending his title, then the death of his father Jorge at the age of just 68, prompted Messi to take the decisive step. At club level, the 39-year-old wants to continue playing at Inter Miami.

Harry Kane equaled goalkeeper Peter Shilton's record with his 125th cap, scoring twice in England's 3-0 win over the Czech Republic. The England record international player was praised as a role model and legend by coach Thomas Tuchel and teammate Jude Bellingham.
Jürgen Klopp's first week as head coach of the German national team sees injuries to Musiala and Havertz, a 1-1 draw against Holland, debutant honours, training sessions and team building activities, followed by a defeat against Greece and a win against Serbia before the team travels to Thessaloniki for the second leg against Greece.
Lionel Messi was celebrated frenetically at the sold-out Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires before his final international match for Argentina. The friendly against Benin marked the end of his national team career spanning over 21 years, in which he played 208 games and scored 125 goals, including the 2021 Copa América title and the 2022 World Cup triumph.

German basketball player Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles tendon in his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers and is expected to be out for the entire season. The injury occurred in the preseason game against the New York Knicks after less than five minutes of play. Hukporti, who only moved from the Knicks to the 76ers in the summer, is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out retiring from the Portuguese national team, but stated that his continued participation depends on the replacement of national coach Jorge Jesus. He accuses the coach of broken promises and justifies his departure from the training camp by not keeping agreements about his involvement in the Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence and accused national coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word while offering to return to the Portuguese national team. He stated that he left training camp to avoid further damage and expressed his willingness to play for the team again after a possible suspension.