Lionel Messi Prepares for His Final Match for Argentina
- On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Lionel Messi concluded his 21-year international career by leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, scoring a penalty and providing two assists.
- Announcing his retirement on August 31, 2026, the superstar closed a storied tenure highlighted by the 2022 World Cup title and a record 126 goals as Argentina's all-time leading scorer.
- A sellout crowd of 85,000 spectators honored the icon with a minute-long standing ovation in the 10th minute, while a pre-match tribute featured a giant jersey bearing the word 'Gracias' above his number 10.
- Head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed the national team will transition into a new era, with Cristian Romero inheriting the captain's armband as the squad works to 'collectively... fill the void left by Leo.'
- Targeting the 2028 Copa América, the national program aims to integrate rising talents like Nico Paz to sustain competitive levels during the post-Messi transition, with Scaloni committed to maintaining Argentina's high performance.
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716 Articles
At the Stadio Monumental in Buenos Aires Argentina beats 3-0 Benin. The captain scores on rigor, serves two assists, a pole in the final. Then speaks to the 80 thousand...
Messi bids emotional farewell to Argentina with a goal, two assists in 3-0 win over Benin
Lionel Messi signed off from international football in fairytale fashion, delivering two assists and scoring a goal as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night.
Lionel Messi scores in final Argentina appearance as Inter Miami star bows out from international football
Lionel Messi scored on his final appearance for Argentina in a 3-0 win over Benin as the star bowed out of international football. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who announced his retirement from international football after losing the World Cup final, was invited to play in the friendly to celebrate his career, with all his teammates from Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup squad also invited.Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of …
The Argentine football team beat Benin's 3-0 team in a friendly match that was the last for Lionel Messi on the national team, held in Buenos Aires and concluded with 3-0 in favour of the hosts, gave the RIA News. Nicholas Othamendi (48 minutes), Nicholas Paz (61), who carried out the penalization of Lionel Messi (71), took the team to the field with the captain's bandage, played the entire game, scored the goal, and gave two performances. The m…
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