The result of the friendly against Benin mattered less than the chance to thank the country’s football king.
To roars of applause and a display of fireworks, Lionel Messi stepped out onto the Estadio Monumental for his final match in the Argentina national team jersey.
"Thank you for loving me so much. I will always carry you with me," Messi said before the match in a clip posted on social media.
The gratitude went both ways. In front of Messi and his teammates, a huge national team jersey was spread across the grass. Along with the number 10, it bore a single word: “Gracias” - thank you.
Tears on the bus
Emotions were already running high on the way to the stadium. As the team bus rolled past tens of thousands of fans lining 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 has been called “the last tango” in Argentina, play was stopped. Players from 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 greatest international player got the perfect send-off. Every pass between teammates seemed to have the same purpose: to set up another goal.
It came in the 70th minute: his 126th goal in his 208th match. He calmly converted a penalty. He also provided two assists in the 3-0 win.
When the referee blew the final whistle, emotions ran high. A drone show lit up the sky as the stadium erupted in applause. The usually reticent captain thanked the crowd and his teammates for their support.
I'm talking more than ever. I don't want to leave here, I don't want to leave the pitch. I'm grateful to God that I'm Argentine. Thank you very much. I love you all.
From the stands came the same words that had echoed throughout the evening.
"Messi! Messi! Messi!"
“He has earned these tributes. Let him enjoy it, let him rest,” 52-year-old Cecilia told AFP:
Let him enjoy it, let him rest.
Born: June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.
Club: Inter Miami.
Previous senior clubs: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain.
International caps/goals: 208/126
Best achievements with Argentina: World Cup winner in 2022, runner-up in 2014 and 2026, Copa América winner in 2021 and 2024, Olympic gold in 2008.
Other: Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, with 47 club titles in total, 35 of them with Barcelona.
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