Messi Signs Off With Goal And Two Assists

A winning goodbye in Buenos Aires

Argentina beat Benin 3-0 at the Monumental in a friendly staged to say goodbye to their captain, with a crowd of roughly 85,000 inside.

Messi was involved in all three goals. Nicolás Otamendi struck first, six minutes after the restart, when Benin failed to clear a Messi corner and the defender drove the ball home. Nico Paz made it 2-0 in the 61st minute with a left-footed finish from the edge of the area, after another contribution from Messi.

The captain then took matters into his own hands. A clumsy challenge by Tamimou Ouorou on Agustín Giay gave Argentina a penalty, and Messi sent it into the top corner in the 71st minute.

The stadium pays tribute

The night was built around Messi from the start. Play stopped in the 10th minute, his shirt number, for a tribute from the stands, and a huge banner reading "Gracias 10" covered part of the pitch. Several members of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup were present, and after the final whistle a drone display lit up the sky above the stadium with images including his Argentina shirt and the federation badge.

Closing a two-decade international career

Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty on 31 August, roughly six weeks after the national team lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain, 1-0 after extra time. He leaves as the country's all-time leader in appearances and goals, with 208 caps and 126 goals, and with a trophy haul that includes the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and Olympic gold.

Messi, 39, will keep playing for Inter Miami in MLS.