BUENOS AIRES (GG) — Lionel Messi has officially brought an end to his historic 21-year international career, playing his final match for the Argentina national team in a celebratory friendly fixture against Benin. The 39-year-old playmaker signed off in front of a sold-out crowd of 85,000 supporters at the Estadio Monumental, concluding a multi-decade run that cemented his legacy within global sporting lore.
The international departure follows an explicit announcement made by Messi at the end of August, six weeks after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The decision to permanently step away from the national team setup was further solidified following the passing of his father, Jorge, in early August. Although international team manager Lionel Scaloni had publicly left the door open for a potential return, the celebratory exhibition in Buenos Aires served as the definitive conclusion to Messi’s career in the famous light blue and white stripes.
In what was dubbed “The Last Tango” by tournament organizers, Messi featured prominently throughout the 90 minutes, driving the attacking phases for the home side. La Albiceleste secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the West African visitors. In a performance that highlighted his sustained final-third vision, the veteran captain provided the creative architecture for the opening two goals before finding the back of the net himself.
The breakthrough arrived early in the second half when Messi delivered an accurate cross from a set-piece configuration, allowing defender Nicolás Otamendi to open the scoring in the 48th minute. Messi orchestrated the second goal in the 61st minute, carving open the Benin defensive block with a sharp line-breaking pass to find midfielder Nico Paz, who finished cleanly past the opposition goalkeeper.
The final highlight of Messi’s international tenure occurred in the 71st minute after a foul on wingback Agustín Giay inside the penalty area prompted the referee to award a spot-kick. Messi stepped up to emphatically dispatch the penalty into the upper tier of the net, sealing his 126th international goal. The execution triggered a massive ovation from the stadium, with the home crowd echoing chants of the captain’s name.
With the conclusion of the match, Messi finishes his iconic run with Argentina as the country’s most-capped player and its undisputed all-time leading goalscorer, accumulating 208 senior international caps over a 21-year span. His international resume includes six FIFA World Cup appearances, three World Cup final berths, two Copa América championships, and the era-defining 2022 World Cup title secured in Qatar.
Following the final whistle, emotional scenes unfolded on the pitch as squad members from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning generation, alongside former teammates such as Ángel Di María, joined Messi for an official presentation ceremony. Manager Lionel Scaloni appeared noticeably visibly moved during the post-match interviews, noting the immense cultural weight of navigating a structural transition for the national team without its long-standing focal point.
The administrative leadership of the national team has already moved to establish the post-Messi hierarchy. Team officials confirmed that central defender Cristian Romero has been formally appointed as the new first-choice captain for the upcoming international cycle. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez will take over duties as the first vice-captain, while striker Lautaro Martínez will round out the core leadership group as the third-choice captaincy option.
While his international chapter has drawn to a definitive close, Messi will continue to play competitive club football in the United States. He remains under a valid professional contract with Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami through the conclusion of the 2028 domestic season. Team executives in Miami have reiterated their intention to retain the forward for the duration of the agreement, provided his physical conditioning aligns with the competitive demands of the domestic league.
