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Messi Ends Argentina Career With Goal in 3-0 Benin Win
Lionel Messi played his last game for Argentina against Benin.
Argentina won the match 3-0.
Messi scored a penalty and reached 126 goals for his country.
He also helped create a goal, though reports differ on how many assists he made.
More than 85,000 fans came to watch him.
In the 10th minute, the game stopped so fans could applaud him.
Messi played for Argentina for 21 years and earned 208 appearances.
He leaves after winning major trophies, including the 2022 World Cup.
Lionel Messi’s final Argentina appearance ended in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin in Buenos Aires.
Messi scored a penalty, taking his Argentina total to 126 goals across 208 appearances.
Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz also scored; reports differ on whether Messi provided one or two assists.
More than 85,000 fans attended, and play stopped in the 10th minute for a tribute to Messi.
Messi’s 21-year international career included Argentina’s 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles and 2022 World Cup victory.
- Who
- Lionel Messi and Argentina faced Benin.
- What
- Messi played his final international match, scoring in Argentina’s 3-0 friendly victory.
- Where
- Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- When
- The articles give conflicting timing: one says Tuesday, another says Wednesday; the match was reported around October 6–7, 2026.
- Why
- The match was staged as a farewell to Messi’s 21-year international career.
Key facts
- Final score
- Argentina 3, Benin 0
- Messi’s international appearances
- 208
- Messi’s Argentina goals
- 126
- Career duration
- 21 years; his international career began in 2005
- Attendance
- More than 85,000, according to the reports
- Argentina scorers
- Nicolas Otamendi, Nico Paz, and Lionel Messi
- Minute tribute
- Play stopped in the 10th minute for fans to applaud Messi
Quotes
Cecilia Adriano
Argentina supporter interviewed by AFP
“I believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn’t bother me at all that he’s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest.”
news18.com
“It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more.”
news18.com
Sources
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