Lionel Messi concluded his international career with a standout performance, leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Benin in a friendly at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental. The 39-year-old scored a penalty and provided two assists, orchestrating Argentina’s dominant display in what marked the end of his 21-year international career with the national team. The match, heavily attended and emotional, celebrated Messi’s legacy, which includes a 2022 World Cup title, three World Cup finals, two Copa América victories, and 126 goals. Fans filled the stadium with chants and tears from the outset, their voices showing the historic significance of the evening as more than just a game.
The game, framed as a tribute, saw Messi wear a special gold-numbered jersey, which he announced on Instagram as “Una camiseta para toda la vida” – a jersey for a lifetime. Before kickoff, Messi walked out with his children, visibly emotional during the national anthem. Benin captain Sessi D’Almeida also gave him a gift prior to the coin toss, and teammates adopted him warmly during pre-match moments. The crowd was anxious for a memorable moment in the game as well, but Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou had other ideas in the early going, denying Argentina with four decisive saves in the first half.
Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou kept Argentina scoreless in the first half, making four key saves that preserved a tense, goalless draw into intermission. Despite four shots from Messi, none found the net until the second half. Nicolás Otamendi broke the deadlock with a goal assisted by Messi’s corner kick, followed by a second from Nico Paz off another Messi pass. The crowd erupted as Messi converted a penalty in the 71st minute, sealing a memorable farewell. Moments into the match, when play was paused in the 10th minute, Benin players gathered to acknowledge Messi’s greatness, a gesture met with thunderous applause from the packed stadium.