Lionel Messi Bows Out in Style As Argentina Hero Ends International Career With 125 Goals
By Sedara Philip
Lionel Messi brought his glittering international career with Argentina to an emotional conclusion in Buenos Aires, scoring in his final appearance for the world champions against Benin.
The 39-year-old captain made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina in a memorable farewell at the Monumental Stadium, converting a second-half penalty as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 friendly victory.
Messi had earlier played a key role in the victory, providing assists for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz before adding his name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot.
The occasion was as much about celebrating an extraordinary career as it was about the result.
In front of a sell-out crowd of around 85,000 supporters, Messi played the full 90 minutes before being treated to an elaborate farewell featuring a laser-light show, live music and special presentations.
The Argentina legend also addressed the crowd for almost 10 minutes, delivering an emotional speech that left several of his team-mates in tears.
Manchester City’s Enzo Fernandez was among those visibly moved, while Messi admitted that he did not want to leave the pitch on a night dedicated to celebrating his remarkable contribution to Argentine football.
The emotional scenes began even before kick-off.
Messi was filmed wiping away tears during the journey to the stadium and appeared visibly overcome with emotion as the Argentine national anthem was sung by the packed Monumental crowd.
A spectacular fireworks display welcomed the players onto the pitch, while a giant Argentina shirt featuring Messi’s iconic number 10 and the word “Gracias” was displayed across the field.
Ten minutes into the match, play was temporarily stopped to allow another fireworks display, followed by another standing ovation for Messi and a touching gesture from the Benin players, who formed a guard of honour and shook hands with the Argentine superstar.
Once the celebrations gave way to football, Messi remained at the centre of Argentina’s attacking play.
He saw two free-kicks brilliantly saved, missed two excellent opportunities from inside the six-yard box and later struck the post in the closing stages.
Despite those missed chances, his penalty ensured he would leave the international stage with a goal.
Messi’s decision to retire from international football had been announced in August, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner admitting that the decision “hurt” but insisting that “the time has come.”
He revealed that he had written his retirement message on 21 July, shortly after Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the World Cup final.
Messi’s international journey began in 2005 when he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute during a 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary.
His debut lasted less than two minutes, as he was shown a straight red card after swinging his arm and catching Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczak in the face.
What began in difficult circumstances ultimately developed into one of the greatest international careers in football history.
Messi went on to lead Argentina to Copa America triumphs and the FIFA World Cup, finally achieving the major international honours that had eluded him earlier in his career.
He leaves the Argentina national team with 208 appearances and 125 goals, establishing himself as one of the most prolific players in international football.
Messi also finishes his international career with 21 World Cup goals, placing him second on the all-time World Cup scoring list behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22.
Overall, Messi’s 125 international goals place him second among men’s international goalscorers, behind his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, who has 146.
‘I want to tell him that I love him’
Tributes poured in from Messi’s current and former team-mates ahead of his final appearance.
Brazilian superstar Neymar, who played alongside Messi at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, described his former team-mate as an inspiration to football lovers around the world.
“It’s not only Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you have done for football,” Neymar said.
“Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honour for me to have played against you and even more so to make history alongside you.”
Messi’s close friend and former team-mate Rodrigo De Paul also paid an emotional tribute to the Argentina captain.
“He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person,” De Paul said.
“I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father and a better friend.
“I want to tell him that I love him. He knows that he is my brother and that he has an enormous heart.”
Former Argentina international Angel Di Maria also expressed his gratitude to Messi, saying it was special to see the legendary forward leave the international stage with happiness and the knowledge that he had given everything to the national team.
“Seeing him with so much happiness, and that tranquillity of knowing that he gave everything he had, is what makes us all happy,” Di Maria said.
“I thank him for life.”
Although his Argentina chapter has come to an end, Messi’s football journey is far from over.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will continue his club career with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he is contracted until the end of the 2028 season.
For Argentina, however, the era of Lionel Messi has officially reached its emotional conclusion a journey that began with a red card in his debut and ended with a goal, a standing ovation and the heartfelt words of a nation saying goodbye to its greatest football icon.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
