Lionel Messi ends Argentina career in tears with goal and two assists in farewell win over Benin
Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers the game has ever seen on Tuesday night, scoring and providing two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin in front of an 85,000-strong sell-out crowd at Buenos Aires's Monumental — his 208th and final appearance for Argentina.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football in August, after Argentina finished runners-up at the World Cup and following the death of his father Jorge. He signs off as his country's record appearance-maker and record goalscorer, with 126 international goals, one World Cup title, two Copa América triumphs and two further runner-up finishes at World Cups to his name.
'I leave grateful, proud and at peace'
Messi marked his farewell with a goal before addressing the adoring fans in a speech lasting nearly 10 minutes, during which several of his team-mates were in tears as he admitted he did not want to leave the field.
"There are so many emotions going through me right now," Messi said. "I'm surely forgetting many things I would like to say because this is a very difficult moment for me. The first person who comes to my mind is my dad.
"I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything."
Writing on social media the following day, Messi added: "Yesterday was my last match and I'm already missing the light blue and white jersey. I know I'm taking the right decision. It was an incredible journey, full of joy and some sadness, but I know for sure that every step I took was worth it."
In the post, he thanked his family, team-mates and clubs, and paid tribute to another Argentina legend, the late Diego Maradona.
Ronaldo leads the tributes: 'A history that will last forever'
Among the many past and present team-mates hailing his achievements on social media was his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who commented beneath a post on Messi's Instagram account.
"Leo, so many years defending your country and a history that will last forever," Ronaldo wrote. "All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina."
The gesture offered a moment of warmth between the two icons in stark contrast to Ronaldo's own tumultuous week, in which he walked out of the Portugal camp and accused coach Jorge Jesus of an "absolute breach of trust" after being left on the bench.
Messi, meanwhile, exits with his legacy secure — eight Ballon d'Or awards, a World Cup and two Copa América titles among his honours — and a club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer still to run. Benin, who finished third in their CAF World Cup qualifying group with 17 points from 10 games, could offer little resistance to Argentina's departing great on an unforgettable night at the Monumental.