BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA / RankWire.AI / – Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin on October 6. More than 85,000 supporters filled the Estadio Monumental for his final international appearance. Messi converted a late penalty after creating goals for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz. The match closed a 21-year senior international career that made him Argentina’s leading scorer and most-capped player.
Messi, 39, finished with 208 senior appearances and 126 goals for Argentina, according to FIFA’s final career record. His last match came little more than a month after he announced his international retirement on August 31. Argentina had lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in July. The specially arranged Benin friendly gave Messi one more appearance at home before ending his international career. He wore the captain’s armband during the farewell in Buenos Aires.
The farewell included ceremonial moments throughout the evening. Messi entered the field with his three sons before the national anthem, while a giant No. 10 Argentina shirt formed part of the tribute. Supporters gave him an extended ovation during the match. The Argentine Football Association had invited its longtime captain back for the fixture after his retirement announcement. That invitation created one final national-team appearance after his decision to stop playing international football.
Messi closes 21-year Argentina career
Messi made his senior Argentina debut against Hungary in Budapest on August 17, 2005. He came off the bench and received a red card shortly after entering. Over the next two decades, he played at six World Cups and became Argentina’s most prolific international scorer. He also reached the World Cup final in 2014 and again in 2026. His career with the senior team spanned several generations of Argentina players and coaches.
Argentina won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 with Messi as captain. The team also won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Messi scored twice in the final against France before Argentina prevailed on penalties. He also helped Argentina win the 2022 Finalissima against Italy. Messi had earlier stepped away from international football in 2016 after a Copa América final defeat, but he later returned. His comeback included four senior trophies from 2021 to 2024.
World Cup winner exits with national records
Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s record goalscorer and appearance holder. His 126 goals stand as the national scoring record, while his 208 caps give him another Argentina benchmark. He played his first senior international at 18 and his last at 39. Across that span, he represented Argentina in World Cups, Copa América tournaments, qualifiers and international friendlies. His final competitive appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final before the farewell against Benin.
The Benin match gave Messi a final contribution to Argentina’s attack. He assisted Otamendi for the opening goal and later created Paz’s finish before scoring from the penalty spot himself. After full time, teammates and supporters remained inside the Monumental for the farewell ceremony. Messi addressed the crowd and thanked those who had supported him during his national-team career. The night ended his run with Argentina after more than two decades at senior international level.