Argentina gives emotional send-off to Messi in final international match

Lionel Messi brought his international career to a close on Tuesday in a friendly match against Benin, a farewell that fans and commentators described as deeply emotional.

The match ended in an Argentina victory, with Messi himself contributing two assists and a goal, a fitting final contribution from the player widely regarded among the greatest in the sport's history and an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Fans in Argentina marked the occasion with tributes, reflecting on his long tenure with the national team.

Many supporters and observers expressed doubt that a player of similar stature would emerge for Argentina, or in world football more broadly, in the near future, underscoring the scale of Messi's impact over his international career. His time with Argentina included winning the World Cup, cementing his legacy with the national team after years of near-misses in major tournaments.

The friendly against Benin was selected as the venue for his send-off, drawing significant attention despite being a non-competitive fixture. Messi's club career continues separately, though Tuesday's match closed the international chapter of his playing days.

Tributes from teammates, football federations and fans continued following the match.