- Lionel Messi has brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career after scoring a penalty and assisting two goals in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night.
- The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward retires as Argentina's record appearance maker with 208 senior caps and their record goalscorer with 126 goals, having won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
- Speaking after his final match, an emotional Messi dedicated the performance to his late father and described wearing the national jersey as “the most wonderful thing” that can happen to a player.
- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni offered a glowing tribute to his captain, calling it a dream come true to manage the “best footballer in history” and expressing sorrow at not seeing him play for the national team again.
- Former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar also paid tribute on social media, thanking Messi for his historic contributions to world football and making him love the sport even more.
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Lionel Messi bids tearful farewell to Argentina: ‘The most wonderful thing’
