Lionel Messi Plays Final Match for Argentina in Emotional Buenos Aires Farewell

Argentina icon Lionel Messi took the pitch for the final international match of his illustrious 21-year career on Tuesday night at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old was joined by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, their three sons—Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro—and his mother, Celia María Cuccittini, who watched from the stands alongside an 85,000-strong crowd. His sons accompanied him out of the tunnel ahead of Argentina's friendly match against Benin, marking an emotional culmination to his tenure with the national team.\n\nThe friendly marked Messi's 208th appearance for Argentina, concluding an international journey that yielded 125 goals, two Copa America titles, and the 2022 World Cup trophy. The occasion carried immense emotional weight following the death of Messi's father and long-time agent, Jorge Messi, who passed away on August 7 at age 68 in Rosario. Following his father's passing, Messi expressed his grief publicly: 'All I ever did was play football, and now I have a fair few doubts as to whether I’ll carry on doing it for much longer. You were by my side from the start, we were so close to the end.'\n\nThe farewell comes after Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, which prompted Messi to announce his international retirement on August 31. His father's sudden health complications and subsequent passing in August intensified the decision to step away from international duties under manager Lionel Scaloni, converting what was planned as a standard exhibition match into a historic national moment.\n\nWhile Messi's time representing Argentina has officially concluded, he will continue his club career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. The Buenos Aires exhibition serves as the definitive closing chapter of one of soccer's greatest international careers, celebrated by tens of thousands of Argentine supporters who gathered to honor his two decades of leadership and historic achievements.