Messi’s reported Argentina farewell ends in 3–0 win over Benin
Lionel Messi scored once and assisted twice in Buenos Aires, as more than 85,000 fans watched what Al Jazeera described as his final match for Argentina.
Argentina beat Benin 3–0 in a friendly at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium on Tuesday, in a match Al Jazeera reported as Lionel Messi’s final appearance for the national team after 21 years.
Messi assisted Nicolás Otamendi for the opener, set up Nico Paz for Argentina’s second, then scored from the penalty spot. Al Jazeera reported the goal was Messi’s 126th for Argentina.
More than 85,000 fans attended the farewell, according to Al Jazeera. The report described tributes in Buenos Aires and Rosario, Messi’s hometown, including a “Gracias” number 10 shirt unfurled at the National Flag Memorial.
Messi said it would hurt not to keep playing for Argentina and described wearing the shirt for more than 20 years as a source of pride. Otamendi, who scored the opener, was also ending his international career, the report said.
Al Jazeera described Messi as Argentina’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and its record scorer. The source material frames the match as his farewell; it does not say that status had been publicly confirmed beforehand.
