Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his Argentine national team career on 7 October 2026 in the most fitting way possible — with a goal, a victory, and a stadium full of tears at the iconic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a farewell match that was as much a national celebration as it was a football fixture.

How the Match Unfolded

The first half ended goalless as Benin's defensive resolve held firm against a heavily expectant crowd. The breakthrough came early in the second half when veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring, settling nerves and putting Lionel Scaloni's side in command. Nicolás Paz then doubled the lead, stretching Argentina's advantage and setting the stage for the night's most awaited moment.

In the final minutes, Messi found the net to complete a 3-0 scoreline — his last competitive touch of the ball in an Argentine shirt, met with a roar from the Monumental Stadium that those present are unlikely to forget. It was a script that even the most optimistic Argentine fan could not have written better.

Messi's Farewell Message to the Nation

Visibly emotional, Messi took the microphone at centre pitch after the final whistle to address the crowd directly. 'It's very difficult to say anything, there are so many emotions,' he said. '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. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.'

He recalled the celebration at the Monumental following the Qatar 2022 World Cup triumph as the single greatest moment of his career: '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 also thanked supporters across the country, saying he was 'lucky enough to travel the country' and that fans 'always filled the stadium' wherever Argentina played.

Signing off, Messi acknowledged the transition ahead: '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.'

A Night of Spectacle Beyond Football

The evening was choreographed as a full-scale cultural event. Before kick-off, live performances by Un Poco de Ruido (UPDR), featuring Sebastián Mendoza and Roman, el Original, warmed up the packed stadium. Santi Cairo, Q' Lokura, and Damas Gratis followed, energising the crowd further. The Argentine National Anthem was performed by Fabio Santana, a veteran of the Falklands War — a moment that lent the occasion a deeper sense of national identity.

After the final whistle, drone formations, pyrotechnics, light displays, and banners transformed the stadium into a spectacle of colour. The musical finale featured acclaimed folk singer Soledad Pastorutti and, subsequently, Ulises Bueno, who performed his show 'Trampa'. Messi himself delivered the closing message of the night, putting a personal seal on an occasion that transcended sport.

End of an Era for Argentine Football

Messi's international career spanned nearly two decades, encompassing a record number of appearances, goals, and — ultimately — the 2022 FIFA World Cup title that cemented his legacy among the all-time greats. This farewell is the close of arguably the most decorated chapter in Argentine football history. For coach Scaloni and the generation of players now tasked with carrying the sky-blue-and-white forward, the bar has been set impossibly high. The next phase of Argentine football begins now — without its greatest-ever player on the pitch, but with the weight of his legacy behind it.