Lionel Messi retires from international football following final match

Lionel Messi officially ended his illustrious 21-year international career with Argentina on October 7, 2026, during a farewell match against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Before a crowd of 85,000, the 39-year-old captain led his team to a 3-0 victory, contributing one goal and two assists. This historic final appearance concluded a legendary tenure that included winning the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 Copa America, and the Finalissima. Statistics from the match highlighted his sustained excellence, as he led the game in shots (9), shots on target (5), and chances created (4).

In the lead-up to the event, Messi was honored by River Plate as an honorary member of the club, reflecting his unbeaten record in 29 appearances at the venue. Social media reports suggested the broadcast reached a record-breaking 3.1 billion views. Following the emotional farewell, which saw team members visibly moved, Messi shared a heartfelt tribute acknowledging his family, coaches, teammates, and the late Diego Maradona. While Messi continues his club career with Inter Miami, his departure marks the end of an era for Argentine football. He plans to focus on his personal life following the culmination of this two-decade-long journey.