Lionel Messi is playing his final game for the Argentinian national team on Tuesday, a friendly against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental, and it feels absolutely wild that he’s still playing at such a ridiculously high level. This isn’t just a farewell; it’s a send-off for the guy who defined a generation of soccer.
“Nothing Left to Give” and Everything to Remember
Look, this isn’t Messi’s first rodeo with international retirement. Back in 2016, after he missed a penalty against Chile, he stepped away, and honestly, Argentinian fans were brutal, hounding him and blaming him for trophies they hadn’t won. It was a messy exit. But this time? This is the send-off of a champion. He announced his retirement weeks after his father’s passing, stating he had “nothing left to give.” And you know what? He’s right. Argentina has nothing left to take after he delivered two Copa America titles and that long-awaited third World Cup. It’s an incredible haul, even if his recent performances suggest there was definitely more in the tank. He’s not done with club play, though; his contract with Inter Miami runs until 2028, by which point he’ll be 41.
Still a Magnificent Outlier, Even at the End
Seriously, this dude is still operating on a different planet. Just two months ago, we saw him at MetLife Stadium against Spain, a defeat that felt so familiar to parts of his international career: 10 men leaning on him, unable to withstand a true 11-man unit. The glory of Qatar, with its supporting cast stepping up, that was the exception. Before that World Cup, everyone wondered if his “ludicrous form in MLS” said more about American soccer than it did about him. And Messi? He dropped the most resounding response possible: eight goals and four assists, carrying a contender on his back *again*. He finished that tournament with an insane 7.91 non-penalty expected goals plus expected assists, over 10 percent higher than even Kylian Mbappe. While most 39-year-olds are succumbing to aches and pains, Messi is out there still breezing through one-v-ones like it’s nothing.
So, on Tuesday, we get one last look at the legend in an Argentina kit. It’s the end of an era, but even as he walks away, Messi is still proving he’s one of the best players on the planet. Don’t miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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