Sports
Messi retires from Argentina with a goal in a 3-0 farewell win over Benin
October 7, 2026 at 10:01 AM · Updated 9d ago
19 reports · 16 in Arabic, 3 in English · over 26 hours
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career on Tuesday, scoring in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin in his 208th and final international appearance.
- Messi converted a penalty in the 71st minute for his 126th and last Argentina goal at Buenos Aires' Monumental stadium.
- Messi said the night was the saddest of his career, adding he would miss defending the national team's colors.
- Referee Fernando Vejar gave Messi the match ball and his yellow and red cards as a keepsake.
- A drone show displaying a sponsor's logo drew boos from the crowd of about 85,000.
- Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz scored Argentina's other goals as Messi added two assists in his farewell match.
- Messi cited the emotional and physical toll of this year's World Cup campaign, where Argentina lost the final to Spain, as his reason for retiring.
- Teammate Enzo Fernandez wept during Messi's farewell speech, recalling his 2016 plea to Messi not to retire.
- Benin captain Cici Dalmeida presented Messi with a replica of the Amazon statue symbolizing the Amazons of Dahomey.
- Argentina fans chanted insults against federation president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia before and after the match, per La Nación.
- A former war veteran sang the national anthem wrapped in a flag reading 'the Falklands are ours'.
- Messi declined selfie requests from Benin players after the match, prompting accusations of arrogance and racism online.
- Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and stars Neymar, Arturo Vidal and Luka Modrić paid tribute to Messi.



















