Messi scores in emotional farewell game for Argentina

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 7 Oct, 03:07 · Archive

Lionel Messi scored in his final international appearance for Argentina, a 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi played his final international match for Argentina on Tuesday at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, ending a 21-year career with the national team. Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in front of 85,000 supporters in what had been billed as 'The Last Tango'.

Messi, 39, was on the scoresheet with his 126th international goal. He also provided assists for Argentina's opening two goals, scored by Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz. The match marked his record-extending 208th international appearance.

The evening was arranged as a grand tribute to the player. Before kickoff, Messi was visibly emotional, wiping away tears as the team bus made its way through crowds of wellwishers to the stadium. His three sons joined him on the pitch, and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and mother Celia Cuccittini watched from a VIP box.

The crowd paid multiple tributes during the match. A large tifo displaying an Argentina shirt with 'Gracias 10' in gold was displayed on the pitch. At the tenth minute, the game was stopped for an ovation, with fireworks shot into the night sky and opposition players joining in the applause. The Argentina players wore shirts with gold names and numbers, while Adidas' iconic three-stripe logo was replaced by Messi's stylized 'M' logo.

Messi's international career concluded with the player having guided Argentina to three World Cup finals, including the 2022 World Cup victory that ended the country's 36-year wait for the tournament's top prize.

How it is being reported

• Messi bids farewell to Argentina fans in emotional international finaleLionel Messi said farewell to Argentina fans Tuesday in an emotional final international appearance, scoring in a 3-0 win over Benin at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium as 85,000 supporters celebrated the end of a career that brought the country its long-awaited 2022 World Cup triumph.France 24 · 7 Oct, 02:59
• Messi scores in emotional farewell game for ArgentinaLionel Messi was on the scoresheet as he played his final game for Argentina on an emotional evening in Buenos Aires.Sky News · 7 Oct, 02:17
• Lionel Messi fights back tears as Argentina pays incredible tribute to soccer hero in his final game for his countryThe end of Lionel Messi's career for Argentina arrived before a sold out Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on a night where everything was done to honor the World Cup winnerDaily Mail Sport · 7 Oct, 01:08

In this story: Lionel Messi · Argentina · Benin · Buenos Aires · Estadio Monumental

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