This October 6 was marked in the history of Argentine soccer. Lionel Messi played his last game with his national team and he said goodbye as a true legend after 21 years defending the colors he loves so much. The ’10’ received a full tribute at the Monumental stadium in Núñez, in the friendly against Benin, which ended in a 3-0 victory thanks to his magic after giving away his last two assists and scoring his last goal.
Messi took all the spotlight this Tuesday. He paralyzed his country as it was his last match with the Albiceleste after writing history in more than two decades in which he won a World Cupa Finalissima and two America Cups.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
Emotions in Buenos Aires
The farewell was monumental. More than 85,000 souls crowded into the River Plate stadium to say goodbye to the legend. His wife attended Antonela Roccuzzohis mother Celia Cuccittiniidols of the past like Ángel Di María, Oscar Ruggeri, Sergio ‘Checho’ Batista, inter alia.
The ’10’ went out onto the pitch with his three children (Thiago, Mateo and Ciro) and received a standing ovation while a giant flag of the Argentine jersey was displayed with the inscription “Thank you” and the number 10 in gold. Leo looked very excited; His crystalline eyes revealed the emotions he felt while his nation’s anthem played.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
Magical night for ’10’
The game started amidst applause for Messi. Benin did not go for a walk at the Monumental and took the game very seriously, but suffered the Argentine siege in the first minutes.
At minute 10, the game stopped to give a monumental ovation to Lionel Messi. The Benin footballers went to greet the ’10’, while the fans got up from their seats to applaud the captain in the middle of the fireworks.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
The game resumed and Messi He had two clear scoring chances. First with a long shot and then with a poisonous free kick. On both occasions the goalkeeper saved Beninwho complained about the facilities provided by his defense.
Argentina failed to overcome that defensive siege of Beninwho approached the match very seriously and had a very clear scoring chance to go into the break ahead. The first 45 minutes went by quickly and the goals were conspicuous by their absence.
Argentina national team Photo:EFE
The magic appeared in the second half
The script for the second half was very different. Argentina opened the scoring in the 48th minute thanks to its captain Lionel Messi, who dressed as an assistant and put an exquisite centerpiece so that Nicolás Otamendi, another who said goodbye to the Albicelestescored after an acrobatic maneuver.
Benin He felt the blow and collapsed. Messi He had his own in a masterful free kick that was saved by the rival goalkeeper. Minutes later he attended again; this time to Nico Paz, who took a left-footed shot that made a perfect parabola and hit the corner.
Argentina national team Photo:EFE
But in the middle of the celebration, Messi’s goal was missing, which came after 70 minutes of play. The referee whistled a penalty in favor of Argentina and it was the star who took the ball. He looked towards the horizon and shot the goalkeeper with a powerful shot to make it 3-0.
#AD10S 🐐 ⚽️ #Argentina 🇦🇷 3 🆚 Benin 🇧🇯 0 🗣️ Another one. In his night. I would like this to last forever 🎵 https://t.co/gN10KPICGY
— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) October 7, 2026
The ’10’ celebrated with his teammates, who gave him a warm hug. He also dedicated the goal to heaven for his father Jorge Messi, who died a few weeks ago. The left-hander’s farewell was a real party.
Lionel Messi Photo:EFE
The actions at the Monumental ended after a free kick from Messi, who was hugged by each of his teammates after the final whistle. The night was adorned with a drone show to say goodbye to the eternal captain.
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