39-year-old signs off with his 126th international goal in front of 85,000 supporters
\n Buenos Aires
\nLionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding farewell to adoring Argentina fans in an emotional final appearance for the former world champions in Buenos Aires.
\nIn a perfectly scripted finale, the 39-year-old widely regarded as the greatest football player in history signed off with his 126th international goal in front of 85,000 supporters as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Benin.
\nMessi, playing in his record-extending 208th international, also provided the assist for the opening goal scored by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, with Nico Paz also scoring.
\nBut the match was a footnote to the occasion itself, which saw Messi savoring the adulation of the Monumental Stadium crowd one last time for an event which had been billed as \u2018The Last Tango\u2019.
\n\u201cIt was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,\u201d Messi told fans in a post-match address.
\n\u201cNot coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I\u2019d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.\u201d
\nMessi though said he had no regrets about his decision to retire, citing Argentina\u2019s grueling World Cup campaign, which took place as his late father was seriously ill, as a factor.
\n\u201cEven though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through,\u201d said Messi.
\nBeforehand, Messi wiped away tears as the bus carrying him and his Argentina team-mates made its way through crowds of wellwishers en route to the stadium.
\nMessi took the field alongside his three children and received affectionate waves from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, who were watching from a VIP box.
\nShortly before kick off, a giant Argentina jersey bearing the word \u201cGracias\u201d (Thank You) above the football superstar\u2019s No.10 was laid out on the pitch as the crowd roared their approval.
\nMessi welled up again as Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang the national anthem beside a banner which read \u2014 \u201cThe Malvinas are Argentine\u201d \u2014 the same banner held aloft by players after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England.
\nThe match was halted in the 10th minute \u2014 in tribute to Messi\u2019s famous shirt number \u2014 for a minute-long ovation to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star.
\nHe crowned the occasion with a goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
\n\u2018Gave it my all\u2019
\nAt the final whistle a drone show lit up the night sky above the stadium, showing Messi\u2019s image and thanking the eight-time Ballon D\u2019Or-winner for his career.
\nMessi\u2019s farewell came two and a half months after Argentina\u2019s World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey, where Messi exited in tears after making little impression in an ill-tempered 1-0 loss.
\n\u201cI gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,\u201d Messi wrote at the time.
\nBefore Tuesday\u2019s game, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate in a ceremony at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters.
\nMessi, who has in the past spoken of his regret at not studying more, expressed pride at the distinction.
\n\u201cTo be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!,\u201d he joked.
\nOutside the Argentina Football Association headquarters, fans unfurled a huge Argentine flag with his image inscribed \u201cThe joy of my life.\u201d
\nFormer Barcelona team-mate Neymar paid tribute to the departing champion on X.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more,\u201d he said.
\nMessi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated.
\nMessi\u2019s departure comes four years after his greatest triumph in international football, leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup to end the country\u2019s 36-year wait for a third title, cementing his status as Diego Maradona\u2019s heir.
\n\u201cI believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn\u2019t bother me at all that he\u2019s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest,\u201d Cecilia Adriano, 52, told AFP.
\nDuring his time with the Albiceleste, Argentina won one World Cup, were runners-up twice (Brazil 2014 and North America 2026) and were also crowned Copa America champions in 2021 and 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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