Lionel Messi scored and assisted twice in Argentina’s 3-0 farewell win over Benin. He leaves the national team with 208 appearances and 126 goals.
The match at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium was Messi’s last in an Argentina shirt. The hosts beat Benin 3-0, with Messi scoring once and setting up the other two goals. He retires as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.
Messi’s first major senior international title came in 2021, when Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa América final at the Maracanã. The team added the Finalissima and the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, then won a second Copa América in 2024. He also won the under-20 World Cup in 2005 and Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, bringing his title total with Argentina teams to six.
Messi appeared at six World Cups between 2006 and 2026 and reached three finals. Argentina finished second in 2014, won in Qatar in 2022 and lost to Spain in 2026. Al Jazeera’s account lists his tournament records as 34 appearances and 23 wins. His 21 goals place him second among World Cup scorers, one behind Kylian Mbappé. Messi is also the only player to win the tournament’s Golden Ball twice, in 2014 and 2022.
At the Copa América, he played in seven editions, made a record 39 appearances and scored 14 goals. His international career ended with 208 Argentina matches and 126 goals.