It was a spectacular farewell worthy of perhaps the greatest No. 10 ever to wear Argentina’s blue and white. It was also an emotional tribute that Diego Maradona, the only other player to rival Messi’s status, never received.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina career came to an emotional close in front of a sold-out crowd at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental. The celebration honored the captain who guided La Albiceleste to three World Cup Finals, including the most recent tournament, and ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for glory on football’s biggest stage.
Supporters hoping for one final glimpse of Messi’s brilliance were rewarded. He provided the assist for Argentina’s first two goals against Benin before finding the net himself, adding a perfect final touch to his time in the national team’s sky blue and white.
The emotion was visible well before kick-off, with tears streaming down the face of the diminutive giant of the beautiful game. Messi became visibly overwhelmed on the team bus and again on the pitch before the national anthem, when his three sons joined him.
A giant tifo depicting an Argentina shirt and bearing the gold message ‘Gracias 10’ covered the pitch. The tribute was echoed in the players’ kits, which featured gold names and numbers. Even Adidas’ familiar three-stripe logo was replaced by Messi’s distinctive ‘M’ emblem.
In the 10th minute, the match against Benin paused for a prolonged ovation as fireworks lit up the night sky. The visiting players joined more than 80,000 Argentine supporters in applauding the man at the center of the celebration.
Lionel Messi made his final Argentina appearance in an emotional farewell at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental
The World Cup winner fought back tears during the national anthem
The match against Benin was carefully arranged as a tribute to the Argentine football icon
None of Argentina’s other players attempted to take the spotlight from Messi. In a country where machismo remains deeply rooted in the culture, their restraint offered a powerful reflection of what the captain represents.
His teammates found their own ways to honor him. Goalkeeper Enzo ‘Dibu’ Martinez, famous for his eccentric hairstyles, had Messi’s ‘M’ logo shaved into the back of his head for the occasion.
After years of unforgettable moments, the crowd at the Monumental wanted one final piece of magic—one last opportunity to chant Messi’s name toward the Buenos Aires sky.
The first half brought three promising chances in quick succession. A teasing delivery from Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo de Paul found his sliding boot but rolled narrowly beyond the goalkeeper’s right post. Two minutes later, a trademark Messi free kick was tipped wide.
Messi came close again in the 32nd minute, but a superb chance created by Lautaro Martinez’s pass drifted just wide of the goal.
Argentina went into halftime without the goal the crowd craved, leaving some supporters disappointed. Still, anticipation remained high as they waited to see what Messi would produce during the final 45 minutes of his international career.
Before the second half began, musician Gaspar Benegas performed for the crowd on acoustic guitar alongside a cellist. The instrumental pairing suited an evening billed as ‘El Ultimo Tango.’
Fireworks illuminated the sky above Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental
Thousands of supporters applauded Messi as he warmed up for his final Argentina appearance
Messi’s sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, stood beside him during the national anthem
Messi’s first scoring opportunity rolled narrowly wide from his stretching boot after 24 minutes
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Messi was lifted up by Nicolas Otamendi, who is also retiring, after creating the opening goal
It didn’t take long. Just four minutes past the opening kickoff, Messi whipped in an Argentina corner for an unmarked Nicolas Otamendi, who also played his final match for La Albiceleste.
Otamendi raced over to Messi, lifting him up in celebration as the crowd sang their hearts out.
Minutes later, Otamendi received his final bow. He applauded the Monumental, hugged Messi one final time and then trotted off the pitch to be replaced by Lisandro Martinez.
Another Messi free kick was parried away in the 60th minute by keeper Marcel Dandjinou, despite the well struck chance from the No. 10.
While the occasion was built to honor the past, Argentina’s future got a chance to shine. Messi fed another ball to Como maestro Nico Paz, who curled an exquisite left-footed shot past the keeper to double the lead.
After creating chances for others, the passionate thousands wondered and begged for Messi to generate one of his own.
Nico Paz (18) celebrates with Lionel Messi after he created the Como forward’s goal
Then, in the 71st minute, Messi converted a penalty for the third goal on the evening
Messi’s teammates surrounded him and lifted him up after the conversion
Messi then pointed to the heavens, his trademark goal celebration, for one final time
It arrived in the 69th minute, when a penalty was given after Agustin Giay was fouled inside the box and referee Fernando Véjar pointed to the spot.
His whistle blew. Messi drew a breath, then a pause. Up he strode and then sublimely struck the ball into the top right corner to crown the evening with the moment millions in Argentina and across the world waited for.
Messi’s teammates mobbed him, forming a circle and jumping around him. In the stands his sons sang with the revelers as his mother, Celia, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, smiled and clapped.
Messi’s point to the heavens – a goal celebration he’s done for years – was done with extra meaning. The 39-year-old looked up to the night sky only months after the passing of his father, Jorge.
Time ticked down on the match and on Messi. It may be fitting that he had the final kick of the game, a set piece from 21 meters out.
Véjar handed Messi his cards before blowing the whistle on full time. Teammates and opponents came over with congratulations as Benin players took selfies to mark the evening’s significance.
A drone show lit up the night sky with Messi’s name, number and shirt. The lights then showed him kicking a ball and holding the World Cup trophy before he addressed the crowd.
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