Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has brought his remarkable 21-year international career to an emotional end after making his final appearance for Argentina in a 3–0 victory over Benin on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The 39-year-old captain received an emotional farewell from more than 85,000 supporters at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires as Argentina celebrated one of the greatest careers in international football history. Messi marked the occasion in style, scoring from the penalty spot and providing two assists as Argentina secured a comfortable victory.
Messi finished his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 208 international appearances and 126 goals. He also leaves the national team with an extraordinary collection of major honours, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and the 2022 Finalissima, as well as an Olympic gold medal won earlier in his career.
His journey with Argentina was not always easy. Messi endured years of criticism and painful defeats before eventually leading the country to its long-awaited major trophies, culminating in the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. His success transformed his relationship with Argentine supporters and cemented his place among the country’s greatest sporting icons.
After the final whistle, an emotional Messi addressed the crowd and thanked his teammates, family and supporters for standing by him throughout his career. A tribute followed inside the stadium, with fireworks and a drone display celebrating his achievements as fans said goodbye to the captain who had carried Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt for more than two decades.
Messi’s international retirement marks the end of an era for Argentina and world football. While his time with the national team is over, he is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami, leaving fans around the world to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of a player widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
