THE LAST DANCE: MESSI’S 21-YEAR ARGENTINA STORY ENDS WITH GOAL AND TWO ASSISTS

Lionel Messi signed off from international football in spectacular fashion, scoring one goal and providing two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in an emotional farewell match in Buenos Aires.

Playing before a packed Monumental Stadium, Messi helped set up goals for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting a penalty to complete the victory.

The performance provided a fitting conclusion to a 21-year international career that delivered Argentina the Copa América and FIFA World Cup titles.

A FAREWELL FIT FOR AN ICON

The night was designed around Messi’s farewell, but the 39-year-old still produced the kind of performance that has defined his international career.

He remained heavily involved in Argentina’s attack and ended the evening with three direct contributions to the scoreline.

The crowd repeatedly applauded him, with tributes continuing throughout the match. Teammates and former colleagues also paid tribute to a player whose relationship with Argentina changed dramatically over the course of his career.

FROM HEARTBREAK TO WORLD CUP GLORY

Messi’s Argentina career did not begin smoothly. For years, he faced criticism over his inability to reproduce his club success with the national team. That changed with the 2021 Copa América triumph, followed by the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar and another Copa América title in 2024.

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He leaves Argentina as the country’s record appearance holder and leading scorer.

AN EMOTIONAL END

Messi was visibly emotional during the farewell. His international career began in 2005 and lasted more than two decades, taking him from a teenage debut to captain of the team that finally delivered Argentina its long-awaited World Cup triumph.

His retirement from international football does not mean retirement from club football. Messi remains with Inter Miami.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Benin was ultimately secondary to the larger occasion: the closing of one of the most extraordinary international careers football has produced.