Messi caps Argentina farewell with a goal and 2 assists
Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi turned his Argentina farewell into a memorable final performance, scoring a penalty and providing two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin at the Monumental Stadium here.
In front of 85,000 fans, Messi made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina after a 21-year international career in which he scored 126 goals and won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a header from a corner taken by Messi. The Argentina captain then set up Nicolas Paz for the second goal in the 61st before converting a penalty 10 minutes later.
The 39-year-old, who announced in August that his international career was coming to an end, received a standing ovation from teammates, opponents and fans during a tribute in the 10th minute.
“It’s a source of great pride to have worn this jersey for over 20 years,” Messi said after the match. Messi, who made his Argentina debut in 2005, endured several disappointments before leading the country to World Cup glory in Qatar. He remains Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and the only player to have won the Ballon d’Or eight times.
He left the field after a final victory lap as the crowd chanted his name.
