Buenos Aires gave Lionel Messi a farewell built for the sky. In his 208th and final Argentina appearance, the 39-year-old scored once and created two goals as the world champions beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly at River Plate’s Monumental on Tuesday.
It was less an ordinary match than a long goodbye to a player who represented the Albiceleste for more than two decades. Fireworks, repeated ovations and a drone display carrying the message “Thank you, Leo” framed an evening of celebration and visible emotion.
Quick facts
- Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.
- Messi finished with a goal and two assists in his 208th Argentina match.
- Nicolas Otamendi scored in his own final international appearance, his ninth goal in 140 caps.
- Nico Paz made it 2-0 shortly after coming on as a substitute.
- Messi said it was “the saddest day of my career” after the final whistle.
Fans had filled the areas around the stadium from the morning, while those unable to buy tickets joined a fan festival beside the ground. The cheaper seats had disappeared within minutes, leaving thousands to follow the occasion outside.
Ciro Frechero, 19, came with his friends because he wanted to be close to the occasion rather than watch from home. Twelve-year-old supporter Samanta was already crying before kick-off, saying Messi would be missed enormously.
Argentina’s players marked the occasion with several walking onto the pitch alongside their children. Head coach Lionel Scaloni shed tears during the national anthem, while Messi stood quietly, taking in the stands for one last time.
Otamendi, also ending his international career at 38, received a major reception from the crowd. The defender’s final outing would carry a decisive contribution as well.
Benin ensured the first half was not simply a procession. The visitors, nicknamed the Cheetahs, pressed Argentina into a slow and inaccurate opening period, even though Messi was regularly involved and registered three attempts, two of them on target.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes after the restart. Messi swung a free-kick in from the left and Otamendi met it with a volley, putting Argentina ahead in the 48th minute.
It was Otamendi’s ninth international goal across 140 appearances. He left the field soon after, greeted by another standing ovation.
Messi then set up the second. Nico Paz, 22, found the corner of the net one minute after entering the match, with commentators noting that the Spain-born midfielder wore No. 19, the number Messi had used before taking Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt.
The final goal came in the 71st minute, when Messi converted from the penalty spot. His goal, two assists and Argentina’s clean sheet completed the result, but the scoreline remained secondary to the farewell around it.
After the match, drones formed Messi’s face above Buenos Aires and spelled out their thanks. With his family watching from the stands, Messi addressed the stadium.
“This is the saddest day of my career,” he said. “I will miss you. I will miss representing the national team, but from now on I will be on the same side as you.”
