Argentine football legend Lionel Messi concluded his illustrious career on a high note, scoring a goal and providing an assist to lead his national team to a 3-0 victory over Benin at the 85,000-seat Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
As Argentina’s No. 10, Messi entered the field accompanied by his three children, with fireworks lighting up the sky and a giant Messi jersey displayed on the pitch.
The veteran player was moved to tears during the national anthem, sung by Fabio Santana, a veteran of the Falklands War.
The Inter Miami star assisted goals for fellow veteran Nicolas Otamendi and the potential successor to his No. 10 shirt, Nico Paz, before scoring a penalty 20 minutes from time.
Lionel Messi won a total of six trophies for Argentina and set records in nearly every statistical category.
Overall, Messi secured four trophies with the senior national team: the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 2024 Copa America.
This is in addition to the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup title and the gold medal he won at the 2008 Summer Olympics at the non-senior level.
He was also part of the Argentina teams that were runners-up at the 2007 Copa America, 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2015 Copa America, 2016 Copa America, and 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi was awarded the Golden Ball twice during the World Cup and recognized as the Best Player at both the 2015 and 2021 Copa Americas.
Additionally, he earned the Man of the Match title at the 2022 Finalissima.
Concluding his international career, Messi accumulated 208 appearances for the Argentina national team, scoring 126 goals and providing 67 assists.
These figures represent records for the national team in terms of appearances, goals, and assists.
