Argentine football legend Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, playing his final match for the national team in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest football player in history, signed off with his 126th international goal in a 3-0 victory over Benin. The match was attended by 85,000 supporters at the Monumental Stadium, who witnessed Messi's record-extending 208th international appearance.
The match was a fitting tribute to Messi, with the veteran footballer providing the assist for the opening goal scored by Nicolas Otamendi. Nico Paz also scored, as Argentina cruised to a comfortable win. However, the occasion was the main event, with Messi savoring the adulation of the crowd one last time. The event had been billed as 'The Last Tango', and Messi's emotions were palpable throughout the evening.
Before the match, Messi was visibly emotional as the bus carrying him and his team-mates made its way through crowds of well-wishers to the stadium. He was accompanied by his three children and received affectionate waves from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, who were watching from a VIP box. A giant Argentina jersey bearing the word 'Gracias' (Thank You) above Messi's No.10 was laid out on the pitch, prompting a thunderous applause from the crowd.
The match was halted in the 10th minute for a minute-long ovation to Messi, who was visibly moved by the gesture. Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang the national anthem beside a banner which read 'The Malvinas are Argentine', a nod to Argentina's disputed territory with the UK. Messi crowned the occasion with a goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, his 126th international goal.
In a post-match address, Messi expressed his pride in defending the Argentina jersey for over 20 years. He stated that not playing for the national team anymore would be 'deeply painful', but felt that it was the right time to retire. Messi cited Argentina's gruelling World Cup campaign, which coincided with his late father's serious illness, as a factor in his decision.
Messi's farewell came two and a half months after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey. At the time, Messi exited in tears after making little impression in an ill-tempered 1-0 loss. He wrote that he had 'given it my all' and that there were great young players coming up who deserved their chance. Before Tuesday's game, Messi was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Buenos Aires.
The evening concluded with a drone show above the stadium, displaying Messi's image and thanking the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner for his career. As the final whistle blew, Messi's team-mates and the crowd paid tribute to his achievements, marking the end of an era for Argentine football.
Key points
- Messi ends 21-year international career with emotional farewell
- Messi scores 126th international goal in 3-0 win over Benin
- Messi cites gruelling World Cup campaign as factor in retirement decision
