Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi ended his international career on Tuesday as Argentina defeated Benin 3 to 0 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, closing a 21 year spell with the national team.
The 39 year old scored from the penalty spot and assisted Argentina’s other two goals, taking his international tally to 126 goals.
Play was stopped in the 10th minute as the stadium paid tribute to Messi, whose No. 10 shirt has been associated with his Argentina career. Benin players joined the tribute and shook hands with the Argentina captain before the match resumed.
The match followed Messi’s decision to retire from international football. He will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi made his senior Argentina debut against Hungary in 2005. His first appearance ended after he was sent off shortly after coming on as a substitute.
His relationship with the national team included defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and successive Copa América finals, before Argentina won the Copa América in 2021.
Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar and later added another Copa América. Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final but lost 1 to 0 to Spain after extra time.
He leaves international football after 21 years with two Copa América titles and a World Cup, alongside his 126 goals for Argentina.
Messi had announced his retirement before the Benin match, thanking his family, coaches, teammates and supporters for their role during his international career.
Tuesday's match provided the final appearance of that career, with the 10th minute tribute and Messi's goal forming part of Argentina's farewell to their captain.
