Messi Closes International Career With a Win and Tears
Theo Al Jazeera English
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career with a goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, his country's most-capped player and all-time top scorer, was honored by more than 85,000 fans at the Monumental in an emotional farewell.
Lionel Messi gave a final performance in Argentina's blue and white as their most-capped player and captain, closing a 21-year international career by scoring one goal and setting up two others in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin.
The 39-year-old's last farewell unfolded before more than 85,000 fans at a packed Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The match was not merely a football occasion but a national celebration honoring Messi's contributions to the national team.
Landmarks across the capital glowed in the team's sky blue and white, while fireworks lit the sky above the packed stadium as fans joined voices in Argentina's national anthem.
Hours earlier, a giant No. 10 shirt bearing the word "Gracias," meaning "Thank you," was spread out at the Flag Monument in Rosario, Messi's hometown.
"It's hard to put into words," Messi said, as his family watched proudly from the stands alongside members of Argentina's World Cup-winning teams of 1978, 1986 and 2022.
"There are so many emotions, so many things running through my head. The first thing I think about is my father," he added, referring to his father's recent death.
"Wearing this shirt for all this time, more than 20 years, has been an enormous pride for me.
"Not being able to come back again will hurt me a lot. I swear, I would want to come back my whole life, because wearing Argentina's shirt is the best thing that can happen to a person."
As the team bus left the training center named after him, Messi wiped away tears as thousands lined the route.
When the two teams walked out, Benin's captain appeared speechless as he handed Messi a gift and a letter during the pre-match handshake.
After a scoreless first half, Messi set up Nicolas Otamendi to put Argentina ahead. Otamendi had spent 17 years alongside Messi in the national team, including four World Cups, and also closed his international career.
Messi then provided the assist for Nico Paz, one of the players seen as a potential heir to Argentina's No. 10 shirt, to score the second goal.
In a storybook ending, Messi converted a penalty to seal the 3-0 win, his 126th international goal, sparking another chant of "Messi, Messi" from the stands.
When the final whistle blew, teammates, opponents and the referee all gathered around Messi to embrace him before a drone light display in the sky. Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti, known by the nickname "La Sole," then sang her signature song "Brindis" as part of the tribute to Messi and his journey with the national team.
Messi departs as his country's most-capped player (208 appearances) and all-time leading scorer, after turning years of international disappointment into a story of World Cup and Copa America triumphs.
For years, Argentina asked Messi to shine. On Tuesday, they simply came to say "Thank you."
