Messi bids farewell to Argentina with goal as Scaloni and players mark emotional end

Argentina legend Lionel Messi thanked supporters in Buenos Aires after he represented his country for the 208th and final time. The post Lionel Messi ‘at peace and proud’ after Argentina farewell on ‘saddest day of my career’ appeared first on SoccerNews.

The 39-year-old said an emotional farewell to the national team on Tuesday night, scoring in a friendly against Benin before making a speech that left teammates and fans in tears.

Fireworks, family and drones marked Lionel Messi’s final match in Argentina’s colors, closing the curtain on one of the greatest international careers the sport has ever seen. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda reports and MLS analyst Taylor Twellman joins TODAY to reflect on Messi’s remarkable career.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell is complete, with six players in contention to inherit the iconic number 10 shirt from the November international break.

Lionel Messi bid his final farewells to international football in one last friendly for Argentina...

Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the “saddest day of my career” on Tuesday after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 defeat of Benin. Messi, who scored a goal and provided two assists in the victory at the Monumental Stadium, took to the field after the win to express gratitude to fans and teammates as he reflected on his 21-year career with Argentina. “It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” Messi told the 80,000-plus spectators in the stadium. “Even in the worst moments we went through and that I had, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here,” added the 39-year-old. “Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who was at the helm as Messi finally achieved his dream of winning football’s biggest prize the World Cup in 2022, said there would never be another player of his ability. “He is unique,” said Scaloni, whose played alongside Messi for a year in the national team. “I have never seen such a set of skills in any other player in all my life.” An emotional Scaloni, who cried during the national anthem, said to have been given the opportunity to coach a team with Messi in it was beyond his wildest dreams. “I owe him a debt of eternal gratitude, for everything he gave to us,” said the 48-year-old. “I told him in front of everybody, with the little energy that I still had: never in my life did I imagine I would coach the best footballer in history.” ‘Unbelievable legacy’ Messi said that returning to the Monumental – where Argentina played their first game after winning the 2022 World Cup – was bittersweet. “Now I’m here on the saddest day of my career, which is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, goodbye to all of you. “But now I’ll be on that side (with the fans), supporting all the boys, everyone who comes in. Always united,” he said. Messi though said that despite the sadness, he had no regrets about the timing of his international exit, citing the exertions of Argentina’s campaign at this year’s World Cup, where the South Americans battled through to the final only to lose to Spain. Messi said the emotional roller coaster of that tournament – which included a 2-1 defeat of bitter rivals England in the semi-final – had taken a toll. He was also to suffer a bodyblow in August when his father and agent Jorge died. “Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through,” said Messi. “We had the dream of fulfilling my dream and the dream of the whole country, of becoming world champions again. “In the last World Cup we were very close, and the reality is that nothing strange happened, as people say. The match against England took a huge toll on us physically, and emotionally it was very big. “We arrived with just enough, we fought like we always did with this jersey, with all the teammates I got to be with and share things with, not only them but also those who were around in the time when we managed to win. We were very close.” Scaloni said Messi left an “unbelievable legacy” but he as coach must now focus on life without team’s talisman. “The only way to make up for his leaving is to have a great team which means everyone brings something to contribute to the building of it. “

Referee Fernando Vejar raised eyebrows with his gift for the great Lionel Messi Lionel Messi has scooped a countless number of accolades and prizes across his illustrious two-decade long career at the top – but what he received after his final match for Argentina had fans scratching their heads. It was a highly emotional night in Buenos Aires as Messi bid farewell to his adoring Argentine supporters after making his record-extending 208th appearance for his country against Benin. The 39-year-old forward announced in late August that his time with the national team was drawing to a close in the wake of the side’s painful World Cup final defeat at the hands of Spain. In the hours leading up to kick-off, Messi was pictured wiping the tears away as the team coach made its way through the feverous crowd outside River Plate’s Estadio Monumental. Get personalised updates on your favourite club Sign up to our daily football newsletter, pick your team and get the latest news sent directly to your inbox every morning. Messi was joined by his loved ones inside the stadium and there were unforgettable scenes as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner hammered home an emphatic penalty to put the hosts 3-0 up in the 71st minute. Earlier goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz had given Argentina a healthy lead in Tuesday’s one-sided friendly – but the scoreline mattered little as Messi soaked up the experience after the whistle. Fernandez was in floods of tears as Messi addressed the crowd after Argentina’s win Even Messi’s team-mates struggled to stop the waterworks, with Enzo Fernandez experiencing something close to grief as the great man delivered a heartfelt goodbye speech to the sell-out 85,000-strong crowd from the centre circle. There was one moment that caught viewers a little off guard, however, as Chilean referee Fernando Vejar approached Messi at full-time before reaching for his pocket. After shaking hands, Vejar gave Messi a wink and proceeded to gift the veteran attacker his yellow and red cards from the match. The look on the face of Saturnin Allagbe, who watched the exchange play out, was a picture, with the Benin goalkeeper seemingly as confused as the rest of us quite why Messi would feel any emotional attachment to the two rectangular pieces of plastic in question. POR QUÉ EL ARBITRO LE REGALABA LAS TARJETAS A MESSI JAJAJAJAJAJAJAAJJAJA pic.twitter.com/ipRYe9qLcN— Tino (@TinoCLeclerc) October 7, 2026 Soledad Pastorutti got her hands on the cards after performing on the pitch A few moments later, Argentine folk singer Soledad Pastorutti – who performed after the match – was seen excitedly clutching the cards, so it appeared Messi wasn’t overly enamoured with the present he had been given. During his speech, Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, said he was at ‘peace’ with his decision to call it quits. ‘I have nothing left to do but thank this shirt,’ he told fans while fighting back the tears. ‘For 20 years, even through the worst moments, I never stopped fighting, pushing forward, giving everything I had and wanting to be here. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page ‘Not coming here anymore and no longer being with the Argentina national team is going to hurt a lot. ‘If it were up to me, I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is. “I think I’m talking more than ever today because I simply don’t want this moment to end. But I think the time has come for me to retire. The last World Cup took a lot out of us after everything we went through. ‘We arrived in the final with just enough left in us, but we fought until the very end, like we always did. Messi was joined by his family in Buenos Aires (Picture: Getty) ‘We came very close to winning it again, and despite everything that was said about us, nothing strange happened. The match against England took a lot out of us because we gave absolutely everything. ‘In 2022, we had the dream of fulfilling not only my dream, but the dream of an entire country: becoming world champions again. And we did it. ‘We won the World Cup, the Copa America, the Finalissima… I’m incredibly grateful for everything I experienced with this national team. There was hardly a dry eye in the house after the final whistle (Picture: Reuters) ‘But this journey wasn’t only about 2022 or this last World Cup. So many team-mates fought alongside me for this shirt long before we finally became world champions. ‘Never doubt how much every one of them fought and gave for Argentina.’ Messi later paid tribute to his father Jorge, who died back in August following a long illness. ‘There are so many emotions going through me right now,’ he continued. ‘I’m surely forgetting many things I would like to say because this is a very difficult moment for me. ‘The first person who comes to my mind is my dad. ‘I’m going to miss playing here so much. I love you all, and I’m proud to be Argentine. ‘I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Ronaldinho honours Lionel Messi after Argentina’s 3-0 win over Benin marked the end of his 21-year international career, recalling their time at Barcelona.

Messi's astonishing spell with Argentina has, finally, come to an end. Here are the numbers behind his record-breaking international career

After Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in his final appearance in the colours of the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi addressed the fans at the Estádio Monumental in a farewell speech to bring to a clos...

Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni said it was an ‘emotional day’ as Lionel Messi ends his international career.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi brought his international career to an emotional close on Wednesday as the world champions defeated Benin Republic 3-0 in a friendly match. The post Full text of Messi’s farewell speech as he retires from Argentina appeared first on Vanguard News.

The world's media united to pay tribute to Lionel Messi as he made his final appearance for his country

"Even in the worst moments we went through and that I had, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here," added the 39-year-old. The post Messi says Argentina retirement is ‘saddest day of my career’ appeared first on Vanguard News.

Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina and there emotional scenes in Buenos Aires as the legend made one final appearance for his nation

The football icon said he had no regrets about retiring internationally after Argentina’s gruelling World Cup campaign.

Lionel Messi won a total of six major trophies with Argentina, including four major senior titles of which one was the FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi bowed out of Argentina duty with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win, warning players and fans that tougher times lie ahead after his retirement.

"Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment," said Messi.

Lionel Messi has made a final promise to fans as he retires from Argentina. The Inter Miami forward ended his international career as Argentina defeated Benin Republic 3-0 in a friendly in the early hours of Wednesday. The match served as a farewell ceremony for the Argentina captain as he finished his career with the […] Messi makes final promise to fans as he retires from Argentina

Messi addresses crowd after scoring in win against Benin‘Not coming any more is going to be deeply painful’Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the “saddest day of my career” after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 defeat of Benin.Messi, who scored and provided two assists in the victory at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, took to the field after the win to express gratitude to fans and teammates as he reflected on his 21-year career with Argentina. Continue reading...

Lionel Messi has described his retirement from international football as the ‘saddest day of my career’ after playing his final game for Argentina. Read More: https://punchng.com/messi-calls-argentina-retirement-saddest-day-of-my-career/

Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you" after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you" after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you" after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you" after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi's emotional farewell to Argentina brought tears to several members of the squad, but Enzo Fernandez's reaction particularly caught the attention of fans. The star midfielder was visibly crying as Messi delivered his heartfelt speech at the Estadio Monumental following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin. The emotional scenes captured the significance of Messi's final appearance for the national team.Fernandez stood among his Argentina teammates as Messi reflected on his extraordinary international career and thanked the players who helped him achieve his biggest dreams. The midfielder struggled to hold back his tears while listening to his captain's words, with the emotional footage quickly circulating on social media.Enzo Fernandez chorando muito com o discurso de Lionel Messi. https://t.co/TtlsTt182t— LM10 Brasil (@MessiLeoBrasil_) October 7, 2026 Messi paid a special tribute to the teammates who accompanied him during Argentina's most successful era. He also described it as an honour to have shared both the pitch and life away from football with his teammates.Messi's farewell eventually became a celebration of a remarkable 21-year international career. After scoring and providing assists in the 3-0 win over Benin, the Argentina captain addressed the packed Monumental and admitted that leaving the national team would be painful. As Messi spoke, Fernandez's tears perfectly captured what the legendary captain meant to the generation that won Argentina's long-awaited World Cup.

Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding farewell to adoring Argentina fans in an emotional final appearance for the former world champions in Buenos Aires. In a perfectly scripted finale, the 39-year-old widely regarded as the greatest football player in history signed off with his 126th international goal in front of 85,000 supporters as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Benin. Messi, playing in his record-extending 208th international, also provided the assist for the opening goal scored by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, with Nico Paz also scoring. READ: Lionel Messi readies for final farewell […]...Keep on reading: Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding farewell to adoring Argentina fans in an emotional final appearance for the former world champions in Buenos Aires. In a perfectly scripted finale, the 39-year-old widely regarded as the greatest football player in history signed off with his 126th international goal in front of 85,000 supporters as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Benin. Messi, playing in his record-extending 208th international, also provided the assist for the opening goal scored by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, with Nico Paz also scoring. READ: Messi retires […]...Keep on reading: Emotions, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team

Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding farewell to adoring Argentina fans in an emotional final appearance for the former world champions in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi shares his emotions and skills as he bids an emotional farewell to Argentina's national team; Star scores and assists two in 3-0 win over Benin at the Monumental. Leer más

Lionel Messi signed off his international career with his 126th goal for Argentina in front of 85,000 supporters in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi delivered one last master class in blue and white on Tuesday as Argentina’s captain brought the curtain down on his extraordinary 21-year international career by scoring one goal and setting up two others in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin. The 39-year-old’s final bow in front of more than 85,000 fans at a packed Monumental Stadium was less about football and more a national celebration of Messi’s service to the national team. Landmarks across the capital glowed with the team’s iconic sky blue and white colours, while fireworks lit up the skies above the heaving stadium as fans poured their hearts into a rendition of Argentina’s national anthem. Messi’s family watched proudly from the stands alongside some of Argentina’s World Cup winners of 1978, 1986 and 2022. Hours earlier, a massive No. 10 shirt emblazoned with “Gracias” was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown. A view of the drone show displaying the shirt of Argentina’s Lionel Messi over the Monumental Stadium following his final international match on October 6, 2026. —Reuters As the team bus travelled from the training centre bearing his name, Messi wiped away tears as thousands lined the route. When the teams took the pitch, Benin’s captain looked lost for words as he handed Messi a gift and letter during the pre-match handshake. After a goalless first half, Messi supplied the assist for Nicolas Otamendi to tap home Argentina’s opener. Otamendi shared 17 years with Messi in the national team, including four World Cups, and was also ending his international career. Messi then set up Nico Paz, one of the players seen as a potential successor for Argentina’s No. 10 shirt, to score the second goal. In a fairytale ending, Messi converted a penalty for 3-0, his 126th international goal, prompting another round of “Messi, Messi” chants from the crowd. Argentina’s Lionel Messi scores from the penalty spot against Benin during their friendly match at the Mas Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 6, 2026. —Reuters At the final whistle, team-mates, opponents and the referee gathered around Messi for embraces before a drone show lit up the sky to mark the end of his magnificent Argentina career. Messi leaves as the country’s most-capped player (208) and record scorer, having transformed years of frustration on the international stage into a story of World Cup and Copa America triumphs. For years, Argentina asked Messi to deliver. On Tuesday, it simply came to say ‘Thank You’.

Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the "saddest day of my career" on Tuesday after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 defeat of Benin."Now I'm here on the saddest day of my career, which is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, goodbye to all of you. 

In a perfectly scripted finale, the 39-year-old widely regarded as the greatest soccer player in history signed off with his 126th international goal.

The 39-year-old delivers a goal and two assists before addressing supporters at the Monumental

Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell raises a question familiar to American sports fans, but soccer has a very different answer.

Skipper, who ends his international career tonight against Benin in a farewell friendly, is Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Leer más

Lionel Messi's final Argentina game against Benin will mark the end of an era, as the greatest player of all-time retires and passes on his legacy to the next great superstars, and he will be forced to pass on his number as well.