Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career with Argentina in style, scoring a goal and providing two assists in a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on October 6, 2026. The match, attended by more than 85,000 spectators, marked Messi's final appearance for Argentina. Former Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr, who was in charge of Benin for the farewell fixture, witnessed his team succumb to a convincing defeat.
Messi's influence on the game was evident from the start, as he provided the assist for Nicolás Otamendi's opener from a corner in the 48th minute. He then set up Nico Paz for Argentina's second goal in the 61st minute, showcasing his exceptional skill and vision on the field. Inter Miami reported that Messi had been "directly involved in each of Argentina's goals," highlighting his significant contribution to the team's success.
Messi completed the 3-0 victory by converting a penalty in the 71st minute, capping off an impressive performance. According to Reuters, Messi finished his Argentina career as the country's most-capped player with 208 appearances and its record goalscorer with 126 goals. The match had been announced by FIFA as Messi's farewell appearance for Argentina, and the Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia had expressed his gratitude to Messi for his dedication to the team.
Before the match, Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou had expressed his team's determination to compete against Argentina, stating that they would not simply attend the occasion. Dandjinou told Spanish newspaper Marca that his team would give their all, adding that he would try to stop Messi from scoring, even if it meant saving a penalty in the final minute. Benin defender Mohamed Tijani also spoke ahead of the match, saying that his team would enjoy the experience of playing against Messi.
Benin coach Gernot Rohr, who previously coached Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, faced Messi again eight years after their encounter in Russia. Rohr described the match as a "big honor" for him and his team, highlighting the significance of facing Messi in his final international game. The match brought back memories of Rohr's previous encounter with Messi, as he led the Super Eagles against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup.
Messi's retirement from international football marked the end of an era for Argentina, with many paying tribute to his remarkable career. Neymar was among those who hailed Messi ahead of his farewell match, acknowledging his achievements and impact on the sport. As Messi bowed out, he expressed his emotions, saying it was "hard to talk" and that he had a "lot of things going through my head."
Reflecting on his Argentina career, Messi said that wearing the national team shirt had been a "huge source of pride" for him, and that playing for Argentina was the "most beautiful thing that can happen to you." With his international career now over, Messi's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers.
Key points
- Messi finished his Argentina career with 208 appearances and 126 goals.
- The match was attended by more than 85,000 spectators.
- Messi scored a goal and provided two assists in his final international game.
