Messi bids emotional farewell to Argentina with goal and 3-0 win over Benin

Lionel Messi signed off from international football on home soil with a goal, a victory and an emotional farewell as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium.

The night was designed as a celebration of one of the greatest chapters in Argentine football history. Music, tributes, lights, drones, pyrotechnics and artistic performances accompanied Messi's final appearance for the national team, with the packed Monumental crowd celebrating its captain throughout the evening.

After a goalless first half, Argentina eventually broke through in the second period. Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring to give Lionel Scaloni's side the lead before Nicolas Paz doubled the advantage as Argentina took control of the match.

Then came the moment the home crowd had been waiting for.

In the closing stages, Messi found the net to score Argentina's third goal and put the finishing touch to his farewell appearance in front of his home supporters. The goal triggered another huge celebration inside the Monumental as the Argentine captain brought his final match for the national team to a memorable close.

Messi, visibly emotional after the final whistle, addressed the crowd and reflected on what representing Argentina had meant throughout his career.

“It’s very difficult to say anything, there are so many emotions. The first thing I think about is my dad. All I can do is express my gratitude. Playing for the Argentine national team is the best thing that can happen to you,” Messi said.

He also recalled one of the most special moments of his international career — returning to the Monumental after Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.

“I experienced one of the best moments of my career here, when we returned to play after winning the championship. It was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” he said.

Messi also thanked supporters across Argentina for standing behind the national team during both its difficult and successful periods.

“I was lucky enough to travel the country, I was everywhere, and you all always filled the stadium and were with us everywhere. I will always be grateful for that,” he said.

Acknowledging that his relationship with the national team was now entering a new phase, Messi added: “I'm saying goodbye to the National Team, I'm going to miss you all, I'm going to miss it, but now it's my turn to be on that side.”

The farewell celebrations began well before kick-off. Un Poco de Ruido (UPDR), featuring Sebastián Mendoza and Roman, el Original, performed for the crowd before Santi Cairo, Q' Lokura and Damas Gratis continued the entertainment at a packed Monumental.

The Argentine national anthem was performed by Fabio Santana, a veteran of the Falklands War, adding another emotional element to an already historic occasion.

The celebrations continued after Argentina's 3-0 victory, with a specially arranged show featuring drones, banners, pyrotechnics and elaborate lighting effects transforming the stadium.

The musical finale included performances by Soledad Pastorutti and Ulises Bueno, who presented his show “Trampa”.

The evening ultimately belonged to Messi. After years of international highs and lows, including the heartbreak of major tournament defeats before Argentina's run of success, the captain was given a farewell befitting his extraordinary contribution to the national team.

For Argentine supporters, the night was not simply about the end of a career with the national team. It was a celebration of the player who helped lead Argentina to Copa America glory and the 2022 FIFA World Cup and became one of the defining figures in the country's football history.