GUWAHATI: Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell to international football on Tuesday, September 6, after 21 years with Argentina, scoring a penalty and providing two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
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The 39-year-old Messi set up Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz before scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute. The friendly was billed as “The Night That No One Wants to End” and marked the end of an extraordinary international career.
Messi finished his Argentina career with 126 goals, two Copa América titles and a FIFA World Cup triumph. His final appearance came in front of tens of thousands of Argentine fans who had gathered to bid farewell to the country's most celebrated footballer.
The farewell began even before Messi reached the stadium, with the Argentina captain wiping away tears as the team bus travelled through crowds of supporters. He later walked onto the pitch with his three children, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia Cuccittini watched from a VIP box.
Before kick-off, a giant Argentina jersey featuring Messi’s iconic No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was placed on the pitch as fans applauded. The match was then stopped in the 10th minute in tribute to Messi’s famous shirt number, with the crowd giving him a minute-long ovation.
Messi's relationship with Argentine fans had not always been easy. After leaving his hometown of Rosario at 13 to join Barcelona's youth academy in Spain, he was sometimes criticised in Argentina for what supporters perceived as a lack of commitment to the national team.
However, that relationship changed as Messi continued to deliver for Argentina. His Copa América triumphs and the 2022 World Cup victory cemented his place among the country's greatest sporting figures.
After the final whistle against Benin, Messi was surrounded by his teammates as fans broke into chants of “Olé, olé, olé, olé, Messi, Messi”. A banner at midfield described him as the “Eternal Captain”.
“I have nothing left but to be grateful, it was a huge honor to wear this jersey for more than 20 years. I never stopped fighting, giving my all,” Messi said during his farewell.
“I promise you I would love to come here for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you. I feel that it's the right time [to retire],” he added.
Messi also said he would miss representing Argentina but promised to continue supporting the next generation of players.
“Today I say goodbye to all of you. I'm going to miss defending the colors of the national team, but I will always be supporting these kids and all of the ones that come after. Always united,” he said.
Following the match, an emotional Messi told the crowd that he did not want to leave the stadium.
“I just want to tell you that I love you, I’m going to miss you, and I’m grateful to God to be Argentine,” he said.
