The result of the friendly against Benin was of little importance as the country’s football king was being thanked.
To the roar of the crowd and the light of fireworks, Lionel Messi stepped onto the Estadio Monumental pitch for his final match in an Argentina shirt.
"Thank you for loving me so much. I will always carry you with me," Messi said in a social media clip before the match.
The gratitude goes both ways. In front of Messi and his teammates, a huge Argentina shirt was spread out on the grass. Along with the number 10, it simply said: “Gracias” - thank you.
Tears on the bus
The emotions were already running high on the way to the stadium. As the team bus rolled past tens of thousands of fans waving along the streets of Buenos Aires, the 39-year-old was moved to tears.
"It feels like the end of an era, knowing that he won’t play for the national team again," 17-year-old supporter Valentino told AP.
Ten minutes into the match, which in Argentina has been called “the last tango,” play was stopped. Players from both Argentina and Benin joined the 85,000 spectators in giving Messi a standing ovation.
Last goal
Lionel Messi began his international career right here, exactly 21 years ago. He did not score then. But 207 matches and 125 goals later, Argentina’s most-capped player got the perfect send-off. Every pass between teammates seemed to have the same purpose: to set up another goal.
And in the 70th minute, it came. Coolly taken from the penalty spot, it was one of two goals he scored in the 3-0 victory, to go with an assist.
When the referee blew the final whistle, emotions ran high. A drone show lit up the sky as the stadium erupted in applause.
"Messi! Messi! Messi!"
He has earned the tributes, says 52-year-old Cecilia, speaking to AFP:
Let him enjoy it, let him rest.
Facts: Lionel Messi
Born: June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina.
Club: Inter Miami.
Previous clubs as a senior: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain.
International caps/goals: 208/126
Best achievements with Argentina: World Cup gold in 2022, World Cup silver in 2014 and 2026, winner of Copa America in 2021 and 2024, Olympic gold in 2008.
Other: Eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, a total of 47 club titles, 35 of which with Barcelona.
