Messi scored his goal via a penalty in the 71st minute. Messi has played 208 matches for Argentina so far.
Messi bids Argentina farewell with last goal, scored 3-0 victory over Benin: Football legend Lionel Messi played his last international match in the Argentina Jersey. Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Wednesday(IST). Messi also made his final match memorable with goal and an assist.
Messi played his record 208th match for Argentina. He played a key role in assisting Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz. Then, in the 71st minute, Messi scored his goal via a penalty. Messi has played 208 matches for Argentina so far, scoring 126 goals and providing 68 assists. This is the highest tally in men’s international football.
Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina ended with victory and emotion. The Argentina captain received an extraordinary farewell. Tribute began before the football match. A giant No.10 jersey bearing the word ‘Gracias’ was unveiled inside the Monumental, capturing emotions of crowd gathered in stadium to bid farewell. Burst of fireworks lit up the stadium. Fabio Santana , a Malvinas war veteran and singer, performed the Argentine national anthem as Messi stood alongside his children, visibly emotional.
The match paused in the 10th minute for a standing ovation for Messi. Every Benin player got an opportunity to shake hand with Messi. A drone flashed a picture of Lionel Messi across the sky in Buenos Aires, celebrating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career.
ALSO READ: RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.50% Amid Rising Crude Oil Prices
The occasion was much about Messi as the result. The 39-year-old superstar scored his 126th international goal and played a key role in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Benin in a friendly match. With this Messi’s 21-year international career came to an emotional end in front of approximately 85,000 fans. Members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families were also present at the stadium.
