Buenos Aires paused for its most enduring footballing symbol as Argentina’s match against Benin at the Monumental was stopped in the 10th minute for a stadium-wide farewell to Lionel Messi.
Supporters rose to applaud and sing for the former Argentina captain, while Messi acknowledged the tribute from the pitch. The interruption was part of an Argentine Football Association initiative introduced following his international retirement: every home match is to observe a minute of applause when the clock reaches 10 minutes.
A number reserved for Argentina’s great captain
The Monumental ceremony placed the No. 10 at the centre of an evening that connected several generations of Argentina supporters. Messi wore that number through more than two decades with the national side and leaves as both its all-time leading appearance maker and leading scorer.
His final Argentina record stands at 207 caps, 125 goals and 66 assists, a body of work that spans youth success, long-awaited senior trophies and the country’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.
The honours behind the farewell
Messi’s senior international collection includes the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. Before establishing himself with the senior team, he also helped Argentina win the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and Olympic gold at Beijing 2008.
Across six World Cup tournaments, he played 34 matches and scored 21 goals, setting the record for the most appearances in the competition’s history. He was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball in both 2014 and 2022.
His Copa América career stretched across seven editions, bringing 39 appearances, 14 goals and titles in 2021 and 2024. He reached five finals in the tournament: 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2024.
For one minute against Benin, the game in Buenos Aires gave way to that history: Argentina’s No. 10 receiving the applause of the stadium where his international farewell continues to be marked.
