Lionel Messi turned his official farewell to Argentina into a straight-up gala performance, bagging a penalty and two assists in a 3-0 thrashing of Benin. This wasn’t just any international friendly on Tuesday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires; this was a send-off, with 85,000 screaming fans giving a deafening final ovation to the GOAT who defined football for their nation for over two decades. What a way to cap off an international career that spanned 21 years, racked up 126 goals, delivered a 2022 World Cup victory, and brought home two Copa América titles.
A Final Act For The Ages
The match itself was pure Messi magic, right to the end. The scoring opened in the 48th minute, thanks to a corner kick taken by Messi himself, which defender Nicolas Otamendi headed home. Just 13 minutes later, Messi was at it again, setting up young talent Nicolas Paz, who paid tribute with an exquisite left-foot finish for the 2-0 lead. Then, ten minutes after that, the man himself stepped up. He buried a left-foot penalty into the top corner, adding to his unbelievable tally as the Albiceleste’s all-time leading scorer. The crowd, naturally, lost their minds, chanting “Olé, olé, Messi” in a roar that must have shaken the stadium.
The GOAT’s Grand Exit
It’s wild to think Messi announced his international retirement on Aug. 31, even while still playing at such a high level at 39 years old. This final match, his 208th for Argentina, wasn’t just a game; it was an event, complete with a spectacular fireworks display. He even rocked a special edition Albiceleste jersey. It featured wider vertical stripes than the standard, a giant sun, and a golden No. 10 on the back. Get this: the print on the back even had goat’s horns, a clear nod to his “Greatest of All Time” status. Ten minutes after kickoff, the referee actually paused the match just to honor the Argentine captain. Rivals and teammates alike approached him, while the entire stadium rose for a standing ovation. Messi, ever humble, simply raised his hand in acknowledgment as the fans sang, “Come, come, sing with me, and a friend you’ll find; hand in hand with Leo Messi, we’ll all celebrate the victory.”
This guy, a true successor to the legendary Diego Maradona, debuted for the senior national team way back in 2005. His journey was a rollercoaster of frustration until 2022, when he finally lifted the World Cup. That triumph didn’t just cement his place in the sport’s pantheon, it made him a national hero in Argentina, plain and simple. You could see the emotion pouring out of him as the Argentine national anthem played, sung by a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War, with his sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro by his side. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez even tried to comfort him with an arm around his shoulders.
The devotion of his fans is just next level. Take Rebeca Arias and Daniel Lema, who traveled over 1,000 kilometers from Tucumán just to witness this historic performance. They even designed a hat that read, “It’s not a goodbye, it’s a ‘farewell forever,’ Captain,” with depictions of Messi from each of the six World Cups he played. That’s the kind of dedication a legend inspires.
This truly feels like the end of an era for international football, and for Argentina, it means looking to a future without their greatest player. But what a legacy he leaves behind.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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