Football: Lionel Messi plays final game for Argentina

Lionel Messi made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday night, scoring his 126th and final international goal as the Albiceleste beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires.

In emotional scenes at a packed El Monumental stadium, Messi stepped up to convert a penalty in the 71st minute, prompting wild celebrations from teammates and fans alike.

Earlier, the 39-year-old superstar had already set up goals for teammates Nicolas Otamendi – who was also making his final appearance for the national team – and Nico Paz – the youngster who is widely tipped to inherit Messi's iconic number 10 jersey.

"It was a source of great pride for me to wear this jersey," Messi told fans in an address after the final whistle. "I can only express my gratitude... not coming back anymore will be deeply painful."

"Gracias, Leo!" read an intricate drone show in the sky above the stadium at full-time, which concluded with the drones forming a profile of Messi's face.

Messi: 'Proud to be Argentinian'

Widely considered the best player of all time, Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31 – barely a month after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final.

"It was a decision which hurts and still hurts but I know it's the right time," he wrote in a statement composed just two days after the defeat in East Rutherford, USA.

"I swear that I have always given everything and that I have always fought for this shirt to make you happy and make you proud to be Argentinian through football," he said.

"Thank you, God for making me Argentinian."

Messi: following in the footsteps of Maradona

Argentina may have lost the 2026 World Cup final, but Messi's crowning moment came four years earlier when he led his nation to glory in Qatar, beating France on penalties after a spectacular final had ended 3-3.

The triumph crowned an international career which hadn't always been easy as Messi, so prolific in club football for Barcelona, struggled to live up to expectations in his home country, where fans worshipped him as the successor to the great Diego Maradona.

He announced his international retirement once before in 2016 after losing three consecutive finals with Argentina – the 2014 World Cup final vs. Germany in Brazil and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, both to Chile.

But he reversed his decision and led his country to the Copa America title in 2021, ending Argentina's 28-year wait for a trophy, before finally winning the World Cup in 2022.

Messi may have retired from international football, but he still has a contract with his current club, Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, until 2028.

Edited by: Rana Taha

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