In an emotional night that marked the end of an era in international football, Lionel Messi officially called time on his illustrious 20-year career with the Argentina national team following a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Mâs Monumental.
The 39-year-old icon capped his final appearance for La Albiceleste in signature fashion, scoring a goal and providing two assists before addressing a tearful crowd of teammates, family, and supporters.
An Unmatched Career Legacy
Messi leaves behind a monumental legacy with Argentina that spans two decades:
- 208 International Caps
- 126 Goals & 67 Assists
- Major Honors: 1 FIFA World Cup (2022), 2 Copa América titles, 1 Finalissima, and 1 Olympic Gold Medal
Despite his age, Messi remained instrumental through the 2026 World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals and adding four assists as Argentina reached another final. Following the recent passing of his father, Jorge, Messi confirmed that his international journey had reached its natural conclusion.
”I Never Stopped Fighting”
Addressing the crowd after the final whistle, an emotional Messi dedicated his thoughts to his late father and expressed deep gratitude for his time wearing the iconic blue and white jersey.
”There are so many emotions today, but the first person I think about is my father,” Messi said. “I have nothing left to do but thank this shirt. For 20 years, even through the worst moments, I never stopped fighting, pushing forward, giving everything I had and wanting to be here. Not coming here anymore is going to hurt a lot. If it were up to me, I would love to be here for my entire life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing there is.”
Tribute to “Warriors” and Teammates
Reflecting on Argentina’s trajectory from heartbreak to global dominance, Messi paid tribute to both current and former squad members who fought alongside him throughout his career.
”We won the World Cup, the Copa América, the Finalissima… but this journey wasn’t only about 2022 or this last World Cup. So many teammates fought alongside me long before we finally became world champions,” Messi added. “Every time we stepped onto the pitch, I knew we could compete against anyone. I felt I had warriors beside me who were willing to leave absolutely everything out there.”
