Messi Bids Emotional Farewell to Argentina With Late Career Goal

Lionel Messi made his 208th and final appearance for the Argentina national team, scoring his 126th international goal in an emotionally charged send-off for one of the sport's most decorated players.

The occasion closed out an international career that began when Messi was a teenager and culminated in a World Cup title with Argentina, cementing his place among the most celebrated figures in the history of the national team.

Messi was visibly emotional throughout the match, and his goal added one more entry to an international scoring record that places him among the most prolific players ever to wear the Argentina shirt.

Speaking after the final whistle, Messi reflected on what representing his country had meant to him, telling reporters, "I wish I could play forever," a comment that summed up the bittersweet mood surrounding his farewell.

Tributes poured in from teammates, opponents and supporters following the match, many reflecting on a career that spanned more than two decades in Argentina's colors and included the country's run to the 2022 World Cup title.

With his international career now over, Messi leaves the national team as one of its all-time leading scorers, closing a chapter widely regarded as a golden era for Argentine football.