The Aporia · Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina ends in triumph and tears

Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 victory against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, scoring one goal and assisting two others before an audience of over 85,000 fans. The match was marked by emotional tributes throughout the city, including light displays and a giant number 10 shirt unfurled in his hometown of Rosario. Messi reflected on his career, expressing pride for representing Argentina but also sadness at ending it, acknowledging the recent loss of his father.

Written by AI on 2026-10-07, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin on Tuesday, October 4, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, marking the end of an era. The 39-year-old superstar, who has been with Argentina since 2005 and is the country's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, will bid farewell to fans during this emotionally charged game expected to draw around 85,000 spectators.

Messi’s legacy includes a World Cup title in 2022, two Copa América triumphs (in 2021 and 2024), an Olympic gold medal from 2008, and numerous other accolades. His final match features a special commemorative shirt designed to honor his GOAT status, incorporating the Sun of May symbol, Messi's personal logo, and golden details on the crest and numbers.

The game will also serve as a transition point for Argentina’s national team, with coach Lionel Scaloni highlighting the importance of letting new players take center stage. The match in Buenos Aires starts at 8 PM local time (1 AM BST) and can be watched in the UK on Premier Sports 2 starting from midnight.

Written for “Lionel Messi Farewell Match” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 22 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Lionel Messi Farewell Match

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This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

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Lionel Messi has delivered one last masterclass in the blue and white of Argentina as its most decorated player and captain, bringing the curtain down on his extraordinary 21-year international career by scoring one goal and setting up two others in a 3-0 friendly match against Benin. asserted

Messi → deliver → Benin

The 39-year-old’s final bow came in front of more than 85,000 fans at a packed Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. asserted

bow → come → Tuesday

Landmarks across the capital glowed with the team’s sky blue and white colours, while fireworks lit up the skies above the heaving stadium as fans poured their hearts into a rendition of Argentina’s national anthem. asserted

fans → glow → anthem

Hours earlier, a huge number 10 shirt emblazoned with “Gracias”, or “Thank You”, was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown. asserted

shirt → emblazon → Rosario

“It’s hard to talk,” said Messi, whose family watched proudly from the stands alongside some of Argentina’s World Cup winners of 1978, 1986 and 2022. asserted

family → ’ → 1978

The first thing I think about is my old man,” he added, referring to the recent death of his father. asserted

he → think → father

“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years. asserted

me → wear → shirt

“Not coming any more is going to hurt a lot. asserted

coming → come → lot

I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.” asserted

that → swear → you

As the team bus travelled from the training centre bearing his name, Messi wiped away tears as thousands lined the route. When the teams took the pitch, Benin’s captain looked lost for words as he handed Messi a gift and letter during the pre-match handshake. asserted

he → travel → handshake

After a goalless first half, Messi supplied an assist for Nicolas Otamendi to tap home Argentina’s opener. asserted

Otamendi → supply → opener

Otamendi spent 17 years with Messi in the national team, including four World Cups, and was also ending his international career. asserted

Otamendi → spend → career

Messi then set up Nico Paz, one of the players seen as a potential successor for Argentina’s number 10 shirt, to score the second goal. asserted

Messi → set → goal

In a fairytale ending, Messi converted a penalty for 3-0, his 126th international goal, prompting another round of “Messi, Messi” chants from the crowd. asserted

Messi → convert → crowd

At the final whistle, teammates, opponents and the referee gathered around Messi for embraces before a drone show lit up the sky. asserted

show → gather → sky

Argentinian singer Soledad Pastorutti, known as “La Sole”, then sang her signature “Brindis” as part of a tribute to Messi and his journey with the national team. asserted

Pastorutti → know → team

Messi leaves as the country’s most-capped player (208) and record scorer, having transformed years of frustration on the international stage into a story of World Cup and Copa America triumphs. asserted

Messi → leave → triumphs

For years, Argentina asked Messi to deliver. asserted

Argentina → ask → Messi

On Tuesday, it simply came to say “Thank You”. asserted

it → come → You

Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina ends in triumph and tears

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