Messi Says Goodbye to Argentina With a Penalty, Two Assists and 85,000 Voices

Lionel Messi didn’t need a script for his goodbye. He took the corner that led to the opener, set up the second goal, then buried a left-footed penalty into the top corner as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 on Tuesday (Oct. 6) at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, in front of 85,000 fans, the AP reports.

It was Messi’s 208th and final match for his country, the end of a 21-year international career that produced 126 goals, the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles. He announced on Aug. 31 that his time with Argentina was ending, and he’s the national team’s all-time leader in goals, appearances and assists.

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The night was built around him. In the 10th minute the referee paused the match to honor him, and rivals and teammates came over to greet him while the stands rose. “Olé, olé, Messi,” the crowd sang. The national anthem was sung by a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War, and Messi, standing with his sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, was visibly overcome. He wore a special-edition shirt with wider stripes, a giant sun and a golden No. 10, with a goat’s horns worked into the back print. Fireworks and a drone show closed the night.

It was a source of great pride to wear this jersey for over 20 years. I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all.

Lionel Messi, AP via ABC News

Speaking from the center circle, he added that he would “love to keep coming back forever,” and promised to support the team from the other side: “I’m going to miss you all. Now I’ll be on your side, supporting the national team and the guys who come next.” Before the match, the University of Buenos Aires gave him an honorary doctorate.

The farewell lands months after Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain. Messi scored eight goals and added four assists at the tournament, according to the AP, and he is back in the Ballon d’Or conversation alongside Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the other half of the defining rivalry of this era, answered Messi’s retirement post on Instagram. “Leo, after so many years representing and defending your country, you’ve created a legacy that will last forever,” he wrote. “I have nothing but respect for everything you’ve achieved with Argentina. All the best.” Luka Modrić, who faced Messi for Real Madrid and Croatia, also paid tribute.

Ronaldo, 41, says he isn’t ready to follow Messi out of international football. Messi’s next stop is club duty with Inter Miami.