Lionel Messi brought his remarkable 21-year international career with Argentina to an emotional conclusion on Tuesday, October 7, 2026. The World Cup holders defeated Benin 3-0 in front of more than 85,000 supporters at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi scored from the penalty spot and provided two assists in the match. This farewell match was arranged by the Argentine Football Association to allow Messi to say goodbye to the supporters who had followed his extraordinary journey.
Messi's final appearance for Argentina came less than three months after the team lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain. A defeat that prompted him to announce his international retirement. The farewell match was officially a friendly, but it turned out to be a historic farewell for the country’s most decorated and influential footballer of the modern era. Messi's teammates and supporters chanted his name as the final whistle triggered an emotional celebration inside the Monumental.
The goal scored by Messi was his 126th for Argentina, further extending his record as the country’s all-time leading scorer. It was also his 208th appearance for the national team, making him Argentina’s most-capped player. A drone display later illuminated the Buenos Aires sky with tributes to the Argentina captain, bringing a spectacular conclusion to an international career that had produced World Cup and Copa America glory.
Messi was visibly emotional throughout the evening, particularly as he reflected on the significance of no longer returning to the Argentina camp. He told supporters that representing Argentina for more than two decades had been an enormous source of pride and acknowledged that not returning would be painful. Messi's relationship with Argentina was not always as affectionate as it is today, with years of disappointment despite his extraordinary success with Barcelona.
For years, Messi's international career was defined by disappointment, including the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany and successive Copa America final defeats against Chile in 2015 and 2016. However, his return to the national team began a remarkable transformation in his relationship with Argentina. Under coach Lionel Scaloni, Argentina developed into a team capable of competing successfully without placing the entire burden of responsibility on Messi.
The breakthrough came at the 2021 Copa America, when Argentina defeated Brazil at the Maracana to give Messi his first major senior international trophy. That success was followed by victory in the 2022 Finalissima against Italy and, most importantly, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Messi scored seven goals at the tournament, including two in the final against France, before converting his penalty in the shootout as Argentina lifted the trophy.
Hours before taking the field against Benin, Messi received another extraordinary recognition away from football. The University of Buenos Aires awarded him an honorary doctorate, formally conferring its highest honorary distinction, Doctor Honoris Causa. The ceremony took place at the Argentine Football Association’s training complex in Ezeiza, with UBA authorities presenting Messi with a medal and diploma.
Key points
- Lionel Messi ends his 21-year international career with Argentina with a record of 208 appearances and 126 goals.
- Messi's final match for Argentina was a 3-0 win against Benin, where he scored a penalty and provided two assists.
- The University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate, recognising his achievements as a footballer and his representation of Argentina.
