Lionel Messi has officially closed the Argentina chapter of his legendary career, signing off in front of an emotional home crowd with a goal and assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3–0 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The farewell match on Tuesday, October 6, marked Messi’s final appearance for the national team after more than two decades in the famous blue and white shirt.

FIFA had confirmed the Benin friendly as his farewell appearance at the Monumental.

Messi entered his final Argentina appearance carrying a remarkable record:.

🏟️ 208 games ⚽️ 126 goals 🅰️ 67 assists.

He also leaves the national team as a winner of the FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and the Finalissima.

The night in Buenos Aires was designed as a celebration of a player who has been at the heart of Argentine football for more than 20 years.

Thousands of supporters gathered at the Monumental to watch their captain take his final bow, turning what was officially a friendly into an emotional farewell.

And Messi ensured the occasion had a fitting ending on the pitch.

Argentina defeated Benin 3–0, with Messi directly involved in the victory.

He provided the assist for Nicolás Otamendi’s opener before later getting on the scoresheet himself, adding another memorable moment to his final night in an Argentina shirt.

The farewell brings an end to a journey that began with disappointment and eventually became one of the most successful international careers football has seen.

For years, Messi endured criticism whenever Argentina failed to win major tournaments.

He reached the 2014 World Cup final and suffered further heartbreak in the Copa América finals of 2015 and 2016.

But everything changed with the 2021 Copa América triumph.

Messi finally won his first major senior international trophy with Argentina after the team defeated Brazil at the Maracanã.

The following year, Argentina added the Finalissima by beating Italy.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi led Argentina to the title, defeating France in a dramatic final that was eventually decided on penalties.

The victory completed the one major achievement that had remained missing from his extraordinary career.

Argentina went on to win another Copa América in 2024, extending a remarkable period of success for the national team and further cementing Messi’s place in the country’s football history.

Now, there will be no more Argentina appearances for the player who became synonymous with the No.

His final night ended with victory, goals, assists, a packed Monumental and an emotional farewell from the supporters who watched his journey from promising youngster to national icon.

Messi leaves behind records that may stand for generations and a legacy that extends far beyond statistics.

The goals, the trophies, the heartbreak, the celebrations and finally the farewell against Benin have brought the curtain down on one of football’s greatest international stories.

The Lionel Messi era with Argentina is over.