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Lionel Messi Retires From Argentina National Team After Farewell Win Over Benin
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In brief
Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina's national team on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, scoring a penalty and setting up two goals as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental. The 39-year-old forward ends a 21-year international career with 208 caps, 126 goals, a World Cup and two Copa América titles, all national-team records.
Lionel Messi has retired from international football, closing a 21-year career with the Argentina national team in a farewell friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, according to ESPN.
A scripted farewell at the Monumental
Argentina beat Benin 3-0 before a sold-out crowd of more than 85,000, ESPN and MLS Soccer reported. Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi's goal in the 48th minute and Nico Paz's goal before converting a penalty himself in the 71st minute for the night's final goal, according to ESPN's match report.
Play was paused in the 10th minute — a nod to Messi's shirt number — for a stadium-wide standing ovation, MLS Soccer reported. After the final whistle, organisers staged a drone light show above the stadium depicting moments from his career, including lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy, as fans chanted his name, according to ESPN and MLS Soccer.
Two decades of Argentina records
Messi leaves the Argentina side as the national team's all-time leader in caps, goals and assists, according to MLS Soccer and ESPN.
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 208 |
| Goals | 126 |
| Assists | 69 |
| FIFA World Cup titles | 1 (2022) |
| Copa América titles | 2 (2021, 2024) |
| Finalissima titles | 1 (2022) |
Messi's own words
It was a huge honor to defend this jersey for over 20 years.
Messi also thanked his teammates and referenced his late father in his remarks after the match, according to MLS Soccer's report. Speaking separately, he said he would have loved to keep playing for the national team indefinitely, describing it as among the most meaningful things in his life, according to ESPN's report.
Reaction from Cristiano Ronaldo
A day after the match, long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo posted a public tribute responding to Messi's retirement announcement, Al Jazeera reported. Ronaldo praised Messi's accomplishments representing Argentina over many years and expressed respect for what he achieved with the national team, closing his message with an informal farewell.
What comes next
Messi's retirement applies only to international duty with Argentina. He continues to play club football in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, where he has been based since 2023, according to MLS Soccer's report on the farewell match.
- Final international match: Argentina 3-0 Benin, Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, October 6, 2026
- Messi's contribution: one goal (penalty, 71st minute), two assists
- Career totals with Argentina: 208 caps, 126 goals, 69 assists — all national-team records
- Major titles: 2022 FIFA World Cup, Copa América 2021 and 2024, 2022 Finalissima
- Messi remains an active club player for Inter Miami in MLS
Questions
- When did Lionel Messi retire from the Argentina national team?
- Messi played his last match for Argentina on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, according to ESPN.
- Did Messi score in his final Argentina match?
- Yes. He scored a penalty in the 71st minute and also set up goals for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz, according to ESPN and MLS Soccer.
- What titles did Messi win with Argentina?
- He won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima, according to MLS Soccer.
- Is Messi also retiring from club football?
- No. His retirement covers only international duty with Argentina; he continues to play for Inter Miami in MLS, according to MLS Soccer's report.
- How did other players react to Messi's retirement?
- Cristiano Ronaldo posted a public tribute the day after the match, praising Messi's history with Argentina, according to Al Jazeera.
Sources
- ESPN — Lionel Messi retires from Argentina duty: his final goal, his farewell speech, his tears
- ESPN — Messi marks tearful Argentina farewell with goal: 'Wish I could play forever'
- Al Jazeera — Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute to Lionel Messi after Argentina farewell
- MLS Soccer — Lionel Messi goes out a legend in Argentina farewell
This piece was prepared with artificial intelligence and passed an automated source check before publication. If you see an error, ask for a correction. Request a correction or reply · How we make this
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