Messi ends Argentina career with goal in 3-0 win over Benin
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career with a gala performance on October 6. He scored once and set up two goals as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The game stayed goalless in the first half. Messi's corner found Nicolas Otamendi, who volleyed home in the 48th minute. In the 61st minute, Messi set up 22-year-old Nico Paz for the second goal.
Messi then scored from the penalty spot in the 71st minute. It was his 126th goal for Argentina, extending his own national record.
The 39-year-old finishes with 208 senior caps, the most by any Argentina player. He captained the side to the 2022 World Cup title and Copa America wins in 2021 and 2024.
Messi had announced his international retirement after this summer's World Cup. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute, saying Messi had made "history that will last forever".
"I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all," Messi told the crowd. "Playing for the Argentina national team is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you."
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