{"id":10092,"date":"2026-10-07T07:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=10092"},"modified":"2026-10-07T07:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:06:02","slug":"lionel-messi-ends-argentina-career-with-goal-and-two-assists-against-benin-on-emotional-night-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=10092","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi ends Argentina career with goal and two assists against Benin on emotional night | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as “the most wonderful thing that can happen to you” after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n

The 39-year-old ends his international career with 208 senior caps, the most of any player in the team’s history, with his 126 goals for Argentina also a record.<\/p>\n

Messi won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas during his 21-year spell on the international stage.<\/p>\n

On an emotional night, Messi also created the first two goals, assisting first another departing Argentina player in 38-year-old centre-back Nicolas Otamendi and then Nico Paz.<\/p>\n

“I feel so many emotions,” Messi, who announced his international retirement following this summer’s World Cup and the death of his father, said in quotes reported by the Argentinean Football Association.<\/p>\n

“The first thing I think about is my old man. I can only express my gratitude; it was a tremendous honour to wear this jersey for over 20 years.<\/p>\n

“I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all. I swear to you that I’d like to come back for life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you.”<\/p>\n

After a goalless first half in which Benin threatened not to stick to the script, Otamendi fired home after the visitors failed to clear a Messi corner.<\/p>\n

Paz doubled Argentina’s lead from the edge of the area after 61 minutes and inevitably Messi had the last word when Tamimou Ouorou’s clumsy challenge on Agustin Giay resulted in a penalty, which the Inter Miami forward blasted into the top corner.<\/p>\n

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said of his captain: “It’s been a dream come true. I never thought I’d be the coach of the best footballer in history.<\/p>\n

“We are eternally grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to be with him.<\/p>\n

“The tears are because so many things are going through my head. Not seeing him anymore will be sad; he leaves us with an incredible legacy.<\/p>\n

“The feeling of having him (Messi) on your side is incomparable- I’ve never seen that aura in anyone else in my life.”<\/p>\n

Messi’s final Argentina game in pictures<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n \"A\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n A giant t-shirt with Lionel Messi’s number 10 is displayed before the match
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Young\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Young fans thanked Messi with several banners
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Messi\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Messi gains the applause from the crowd on his final game
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Messi\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Messi waves to the crowd after scoring his final Argentina goal
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Messi\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Messi was tearful after the game
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Messi\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Messi appreciates the Argentina crowd after the game
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Messi\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Messi addressed the crowd after his final match
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \"Messi\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Messi looked visibly emotional as he addressed the crowd
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n


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