Everest,  Kathmandu, October 7 -   Argentina captain and football legend Lionel Messi has retired from international football.

In his final international match, Messi scored one goal and provided two assists as Argentina secured a comfortable 3–0 victory over Benin, bringing an emotional farewell to his illustrious international career.

In front of more than 85,000 spectators at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, 39-year-old Messi played the final match of his 21-year international career.

The match marked Messi’s 208th international appearance for Argentina. In the 10th minute, he shared an emotional moment on the field following a minute-long applause held in honor of his iconic No. 10 jersey.

Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina, with Messi providing the assist. Nico Paz then doubled Argentina’s lead before Messi completed his 126th international goal by converting a penalty in the 71st minute.

Messi’s final international appearance was dubbed “The Last Tango” in Argentina. He was already emotional before the match. As the Argentine team bus made its way through streets packed with supporters on the way to the stadium, Messi was seen wiping away tears.

Messi entered the field accompanied by his three children. His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, waved goodbye to him from the VIP box. Before kickoff, a giant Argentine jersey bearing Messi’s No. 10 and the word “Thank You” was displayed on the pitch. Supporters inside the stadium then erupted in a huge ovation for Messi.

Messi was visibly emotional again as former Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana performed the national anthem. A banner reading “The Malvinas Are Argentine” was also displayed during the ceremony.

After the match, a drone show was held above the stadium. The drones formed an image of Messi in the sky as a tribute to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and his extraordinary career.

“I Gave Everything I Had; There Is Nothing Left to Give”

Messi’s international farewell came around two and a half months after Argentina suffered a 1–0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. Messi left the field in tears following the match in New Jersey, United States.

Messi subsequently said he had given everything he could for Argentina.

“I gave everything I had. There is nothing left for me to give. At the same time, there are excellent young players coming through, and they deserve their opportunities,” he wrote at the time.

Before his final match, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

“I can now say that I am an honorary doctor,” Messi joked, while also expressing his pride in receiving the honor.

Outside the AFA headquarters, supporters displayed a giant Argentine flag featuring Messi’s image. It carried the words, “The Joy of My Life.”

Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, ending the country’s 36-year wait for the prestigious trophy. The achievement further cemented his status as the successor to Argentine football great Diego Maradona.

During Messi’s international career, Argentina won the World Cup once. The team finished runners-up at the 2014 and 2026 World Cups and also won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.

Messi is currently under contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami until 2028. However, following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, two months ago, he had indicated that he could retire from professional football earlier than expected.