Lionel Messi Retires From International Football With One Last Goal As Argentina Win 3-0
News sportsfootball Lionel Messi Retires From International Football With One Last Goal As Argentina Win 3-0. Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's third goal.
(AFP Photo) Lionel Messi's Argentina farewell unfolded exactly as the home crowd had hoped. The 39-year-old superstar scored his 126th international goal and helped Argentina secure a 3-0 win over Benin on Tuesday, bringing his 21-year international career to an emotional close in front of 85,000 fans at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium.
Messi, earning his record 208th cap, set up Nicolas Otamendi for the opening goal before Nico Paz added another. Messi then put the finishing touch on the night by converting a penalty in the 71st minute.
The result, however, mattered far less than the occasion. The match had been promoted as 'The Last Tango', giving Argentine supporters one final opportunity to celebrate a player widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history.
The emotion began well before kick-off. Messi struggled to hold back tears as the team bus travelled through packed streets toward the stadium, surrounded by thousands of wellwishers.
He later walked onto the pitch with his three children, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from a VIP box and waved affectionately. A giant Argentina shirt bearing the word "Gracias" (Thank You) and Messi's famous No.
10 was placed on the field before the match, drawing a huge response from the crowd. Another emotional moment arrived during the national anthem.
Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang alongside a banner carrying the words - "The Malvinas are Argentine". The same banner had been displayed by Argentina's players after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England.
Then came the tribute that was built into the match itself. Play stopped in the 10th minute, a nod to Messi's iconic shirt number, allowing the crowd to give him a minute-long standing ovation.