Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Messi Bids Emotional Farewell as Argentina Defeats Benin 3-0
Argentina played Benin in a match celebrating Lionel Messi’s time with the national team.
Argentina won 3-0.
Messi helped set up two goals and scored another with a penalty kick.
The crowd of 85,000 cheered and gave him a standing ovation.
Messi said he was proud to wear Argentina’s shirt for more than 20 years.
He said he would keep supporting the team.
His international career included a World Cup win and two Copa América titles.
Before the match, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires.
Argentina beat Benin 3-0 on Tuesday in Lionel Messi’s farewell match at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium.
Messi scored a penalty and assisted goals by Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Paz.
The 85,000 fans gave Messi a standing ovation during a ceremony honoring his 21-year international career.
Messi said he was proud to represent Argentina and would support the national team and its next generation.
The articles cite 126 Argentina goals, two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup among Messi’s achievements.
- Who
- Lionel Messi and Argentina faced Benin.
- What
- Argentina won 3-0 in a match presented as Messi’s farewell to the national team.
- When
- Tuesday; the articles do not specify the year in their match reports.
- Where
- Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Why
- The match marked Messi’s farewell appearance for Argentina after an international career spanning 21 years.
- Result
- Argentina 3, Benin 0
- Venue
- Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires
- Attendance
- 85,000
- Goals
- Nicolás Otamendi scored in the 48th minute, Nicolás Paz in the 61st, and Messi scored a penalty ten minutes later.
- Messi’s career
- The articles cite 21 years with Argentina and 126 international goals.
- Titles cited
- One 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles.
- Before the match
- Messi received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires.
