Messi Bids Argentina Farewell With a Goal and Two Assists in 3-0 Win Over Benin

The night everyone in Argentina dreaded arrived — and it turned out to be magical. Lionel Messi played his 208th and final match for the national team on Tuesday, and the 39-year-old could not have scripted a better goodbye. Argentina dominated Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires but could not break through in the first half. The captain took charge after the break, first delivering the corner that fellow veteran Nicolas Otamendi — himself playing his last international game — headed home in the 48th minute. Messi then fed 22-year-old Nico Paz, widely seen as his heir to the No. 10 shirt, for a fine second in the 61st. The fairytale moment came in the 71st minute: Messi calmly converted a penalty for his 126th international goal, extending records he holds for both caps and goals. Play had earlier paused in the 10th minute for a standing ovation, and a drone show lit up the sky after full time. Overcome with emotion — he was seen in tears on the team bus before kickoff and again during his post-match address — Messi told the crowd it was "a huge pride" to wear the shirt and that he did not want to leave the pitch. He retires with a World Cup winners' medal from 2022, a 2026 final appearance, two Copa America titles and 208 caps. His club career with Inter Miami continues.