The Messi international retirement is now complete. On Tuesday night in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina — a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at a packed Estadio Monumental — bringing the curtain down on a 21-year international career that delivered a World Cup, two Copa Américas, and 126 goals. Billed as “The Last Tango”, the farewell drew more than 85,000 fans and turned into a national celebration.
The Farewell: One Last Masterclass in Buenos Aires
Messi scripted his own ending. After a goalless first half, he set up veteran Nicolás Otamendi — himself retiring from international duty after 17 years alongside Messi — for the opener, then assisted Nico Paz, seen as a possible heir to Argentina’s No. 10 shirt, for the second. In the 71st minute, the 39-year-old converted a penalty for 3-0, his 126th international goal, as the stadium erupted in “Messi, Messi” chants.
The occasion transcended football. Landmarks across the capital glowed in Argentina’s sky blue and white, fireworks lit the skies above the stadium, and a giant No. 10 shirt reading “Gracias” was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown. A drone show after the final whistle replayed career highlights, including the most famous image of all — Messi holding the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022. His family watched from the stands alongside Argentina’s World Cup winners of 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Messi International Retirement by the Numbers
The statistics are staggering. Messi retires as Argentina’s most-capped player with 208 appearances and its highest scorer with 126 goals — more than double the previous record of 54 held by Gabriel Batistuta. He played in six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), a tally matched only by Cristiano Ronaldo, and scored 21 World Cup goals — second only to Kylian Mbappé’s 22.
His trophy cabinet with Argentina includes the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles, plus losing final appearances in 2014 (to Germany) and 2026 (1-0 to Spain). Before the farewell match, the University of Buenos Aires honoured him with an honorary doctorate — a rare academic tribute to a footballer.
Why He Stepped Away Now
Messi had announced his international retirement on August 31, about a month after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain and just days after the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died on August 8 in Rosario at 68. He cited the gruelling World Cup campaign — played while his father was seriously ill — as a factor in the decision.
“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” Messi told fans in a post-match address. “Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.” He added that he had no regrets: “Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment.”
What His Legacy Means
Messi’s Argentina career began inauspiciously — sent off barely a minute into his debut against Hungary in August 2005 — and included years of heartbreak, including his brief 2016 retirement reversal after the Copa América final defeat. What followed was redemption: the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and a transformation from a player once accused of caring less for his country than his club into Argentina’s undisputed greatest.
For India, where Messi’s fanbase runs deep from Kerala to Kolkata, the farewell marks the end of an era that defined football fandom for a generation. He will continue at club level with Inter Miami, but the blue-and-white No. 10 now belongs to history — and to whoever dares to wear it next.
In other entertainment and culture news on Mixarenaa: Nana Patekar dies at 75 in Goa.
Sources: Reuters, Sky Sports
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Messi's final stats for Argentina?
208 caps (national record) and 126 goals (national record, more than double Gabriel Batistuta's previous mark of 54). He won the 2022 World Cup, two Copa Américas, and played in six World Cups.
How did his last match go?
Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental in front of 85,000+ fans. Messi scored a penalty (his 126th goal) and assisted the other two goals, scored by Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz.
Is Messi retiring from club football too?
No — the retirement is from international duty only. He continues to play club football for Inter Miami.
Who could replace Messi as Argentina's No. 10?
Nico Paz, who scored in the farewell match off a Messi assist, is seen as one potential successor. Coach Lionel Scaloni now faces the task of rebuilding the attack around a new generation.
