Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career in unforgettable fashion, scoring and providing two assists during a 3-0 victory over Benin at a packed Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The evening was staged as a farewell to the captain who led Argentina to three World Cup finals and helped end the country’s 36-year wait for the sport’s biggest prize.
Messi was visibly emotional before kick-off, with tears running down his face as he stood for the national anthem alongside his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
The pitch displayed a giant Argentina shirt bearing the words ‘Gracias 10’ in gold. The national team’s shirts carried gold names and numbers, while Messi’s stylised ‘M’ logo appeared in place of Adidas’s usual three stripes.
More than 80,000 supporters joined the tribute. In the 10th minute, play was halted for an ovation as fireworks illuminated the sky above the stadium, with Benin’s players applauding alongside their hosts.
Messi needed only four minutes to make his mark. His corner found Nicolas Otamendi unmarked, and the defender headed Argentina in front before racing towards Messi and lifting him in celebration.
Otamendi, who was also making his final appearance for Argentina, was later substituted to a standing ovation after embracing Messi and applauding the Monumental crowd.
Messi came close to scoring in the first half, sending one effort narrowly wide after connecting with a pass from Rodrigo de Paul. His free-kick was then pushed past the post, before another chance created by Lautaro Martinez also went wide.
At the interval, musician Gaspar Benegas performed with a cellist as the farewell continued under the title ‘El Ultimo Tango’.
Argentina doubled their advantage after the break when Messi played in Nico Paz, who curled a superb left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
The goal gave Argentina’s emerging talent a moment in the spotlight, but the crowd were still waiting for Messi to provide one final goal of his own.
That moment arrived in the 69th minute after Agustin Giay was fouled inside the penalty area. Messi took responsibility, paused before his run-up and placed the penalty into the top-right corner.
His team-mates surrounded him and lifted him into the air, while his sons celebrated in the stands alongside his mother, Celia, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.
Messi then pointed towards the heavens, repeating the celebration that has accompanied so many of his goals. The gesture carried added significance following the death of his father, Jorge, months earlier.
Goalkeeper Enzo ‘Dibu’ Martinez had also marked the occasion in his own way, having Messi’s ‘M’ logo carved into the back of his head.
For a night dedicated to Argentina’s greatest modern football figure, Messi supplied the decisive moments himself: two assists, a goal and an emotional farewell in Buenos Aires.
