Lionel Messi scored on his final international appearance as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires, bringing a fairytale end to his record-breaking career with the national team.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who had announced his retirement from international football after defeat in the World Cup final, was invited to take part in the match to celebrate his career. All his team-mates from Argentina's triumphant 2022 World Cup squad were also invited.
Record-Breaking Career Ends
The 39-year-old finishes with 208 senior caps, the most of any player in the team's history, and his 126 goals for Argentina are also a record. He is the only player to have started three World Cup finals.
Messi ends his career as a World Cup winner and Argentina's top scorer.
Otamendi and Paz on Target
Messi had been threatened to be upstaged by another departing Argentina player, 38-year-old centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, when the latter opened the scoring shortly after half-time, with Nico Paz adding a second.
Inevitably Messi had the final word, firing a spot-kick into the roof of the net with 20 minutes remaining to sign off his remarkable international career in style.
Emotional Farewell
Messi was denied by Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou after seven minutes before the visitors almost took a shock lead when Aiyegun Tosin volleyed wide. Messi turned a cross narrowly wide midway through the first half and was off-target again in the 33rd minute.
Emi Martinez denied Junior Olaitan before the break and three minutes after the interval Otamendi fired home after Benin failed to clear a Messi corner. Dandjinou kept out an Enzo Fernandez header before Paz doubled Argentina's lead from the edge of the area after 61 minutes.
Messi's moment came 10 minutes later when Tamimou Ouorou's clumsy challenge on Agustin Giay resulted in a penalty, which the Inter Miami forward blasted into the top corner for his 126th and last international goal. Dandjinou denied Leonel Flores late on before Messi bid the crowd an emotional goodbye at full-time.
