Lionel Messi Ends His Epic International Career with a Goal and Two Assists

Darwin, October 07: Lionel Messi’s final match in international football, if this indeed was his last, was just like the man himself—filled with goals, assists, and emotion. In his final appearance for Argentina, the legendary forward scored one goal and provided two assists against Benin, inspiring Argentina to a 3–0 victory.

From the very beginning, the match at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental carried an atmosphere of farewell. Before kick-off, a giant number 10 jersey bearing the word “Gracias” was displayed on the pitch. Then, in the 10th minute, play was stopped as the entire stadium paid tribute to Messi for a full minute. The stands echoed with chants of “Messi, Messi.”

Messi created several chances in the first half but could not find the net. In the 7th minute, Benin’s goalkeeper saved his long-range effort. In the 25th minute, Messi tried his luck from a free-kick. Then, in the 32nd minute, he attempted a volley from a cross by Lautaro Martínez but failed to hit the target.

After the break, however, the game changed completely. In the 48th minute, Nicolás Otamendi put Argentina ahead from a corner taken by Messi. The goal came through the combination of two experienced players making what was reportedly their final appearances for the national team.

Then, in the 60th minute, Messi once again set up a goal, this time for Nico Paz. Receiving Messi’s perfectly weighted pass from the left, Paz controlled the ball before curling a superb shot into the Benin net. It was Messi’s second assist of the match.

Eleven minutes later came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Argentina were awarded a penalty after a foul by a Benin defender. Messi stepped up to take the spot-kick. In the 71st minute, he calmly sent the ball into the net, scoring in his farewell appearance. It was his 126th goal for Argentina.

Messi had another chance to score late in the match. In the 75th minute, he received a pass from Nico González inside the six-yard box but sent his shot wide. Had he scored, his farewell performance would have been even more spectacular.

Before the match, Messi had delivered an emotional message about his farewell. “I am leaving in peace, knowing I gave everything. This jersey was my dream, my pride, and my life,” he said.

More than 21 years have passed since Messi made his international debut for Argentina in 2005. His remarkable journey included disappointment, failure, the long wait for trophies, and ultimately the triumph of winning the World Cup. Although the 2022 World Cup victory seemed to bring his international career to its fulfillment, there had been uncertainty over his departure after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain.

Eventually, his farewell also came in familiar fashion—with a goal and two assists. As he walked off the pitch for the final time in the blue-and-white jersey, it was not merely the farewell of a footballer; it marked the end of a legendary, almost epic chapter in Argentina’s history.