Lionel Messi has brought his remarkable international career with Argentina to an emotional end, addressing thousands of supporters after leading the team to a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in the early hours of Wednesday.
Messi played a decisive role in the friendly, contributing to all three goals as Argentina secured a convincing victory in what marked the captain's final appearance for the national team.
The 39-year-old leaves international football as Argentina's most-capped player, having made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals for the country.
After the final whistle, Messi spoke to an emotional crowd of about 85,000 supporters, reflecting on two decades with the national team, the difficult moments he experienced and the historic successes that eventually followed.
He thanked the Argentina shirt, his teammates and the supporters who stood by the team throughout his career.
“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.”
Messi admitted that stepping away from the national team would be particularly painful, saying his desire had always been to continue representing Argentina.
“Not coming here anymore and no longer being with the Argentina National Team 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.”
The Argentina captain said he did not want the farewell moment to end, but acknowledged that he had reached the point where retirement was necessary.
“But I think the time has come for me to retire. The last World Cup took a lot out of us after everything we went through. We arrived in the final with just enough left in us, but we fought until the very end, like we always did.”
Messi reflected on Argentina's pursuit of another World Cup triumph and the determination that eventually saw the team lift the trophy in 2022.
“In 2022, we had the dream of fulfilling not only my dream, but the dream of an entire country: becoming world champions again. And we did it.”
He also recalled Argentina's other major achievements, including their Copa América and Finalissima triumphs.
“We won the World Cup, the Copa América, the Finalissima… I’m incredibly grateful for everything I experienced with this National Team.”
Messi was keen to emphasise that Argentina's success was the product of years of collective effort rather than the work of a single generation of players.
“So many teammates fought alongside me for this shirt long before we finally became world champions. Never doubt how much every one of them fought and gave for Argentina.”
He described playing alongside his teammates as both a privilege and an honour, praising the unity and determination within the squad.
“It was a privilege and an honor to share the pitch with all of my teammates and to share so much of our lives together away from football.”
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star also thanked Argentina supporters for their unwavering backing, both at home and at matches played around the world.
“Throughout all these years, wherever we played in the world, the stadiums were always full of Argentinians.”
Messi urged supporters to continue standing behind the national team, particularly during difficult periods.
“And that support has to continue. Difficult moments will come, and those are the moments when you have to support the team more than ever.”
He also recalled one of the happiest moments of his international career — returning to Argentina to play in front of supporters after winning the 2022 World Cup.
“Here, in this stadium, I experienced one of the happiest days of my life: our first match at home after becoming world champions. It was beautiful. And today might be one of the saddest because I’m standing here saying goodbye.”
As emotions overwhelmed him, Messi admitted that there were things he wanted to say but could no longer remember in the moment.
“There are so many emotions going through me right now. I’m surely forgetting many things I would like to say because this is a very difficult moment for me.”
He then paid tribute to his father before expressing his enduring love for Argentina.
“The first person who comes to my mind is my dad.”
“I’m going to miss playing here so much. I love you all, and I’m proud to be Argentine.”
Messi concluded his farewell with a message of gratitude and peace after a career that saw him lead Argentina through some of its most difficult periods before ultimately delivering the country's long-awaited World Cup triumph.
“I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.”