Lionel Messi played his last game for Argentina on October 6, closing a 21-year international career. Here are the numbers behind one of football's greatest journeys.

Messi made 208 senior appearances for Argentina, the most by any player in the country's history. He scored 126 goals, also a national record.

His first major trophy with Argentina came at the 2021 Copa America in Brazil. He followed it with the 2022 Finalissima and then the biggest prize of all: the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He added a second Copa America title in 2024, confirming Argentina as the dominant team of the era.

In his farewell match against Benin, Messi contributed to all three goals. He set up Nicolas Otamendi for the opener and Nico Paz for the second, then converted a penalty himself.

Messi will continue playing club football for Inter Miami. His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo defined a generation, and Ronaldo's warm tribute showed the respect between them.

Argentina now moves on without its greatest player. The next generation, led by young talents like Nico Paz, must fill the biggest boots in football.