LIONEL MESSI BOWS OUT WITH GOAL, TWO ASSISTS AS ARGENTINA BEAT BENIN 3-0

Legendary forward brings down the curtain on a illustrious 21-year international career in front of over 85,000 adoring fans in Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi has brought his storied international career to a definitive close, orchestrating a 3-0 victory for Argentina over Benin in his emotional farewell match.  

Playing before a packed crowd at the Estadio Monumental, the 39-year-old maestro was directly involved in all three goals, signing off with a vintage performance that encapsulated his unmatched legacy in the albiceleste shirt.  

Argentina controlled proceedings from the outset, with Messi pulling the strings in the attacking third. After setting up the opening sequence, he turned provider once again in the second half, teeing up substitute Nico Paz, who curled a brilliant left-footed strike into the net to double the advantage.  

The defining moment of the night arrived in the 68th minute when a clumsy challenge inside the box yielded a penalty for the hosts. Messi stepped up under immense emotional weight, calmly sending the Benin goalkeeper the wrong way to slot the ball into the top-right corner for his 126th and final international goal.  

Despite relentless pressure in the closing minutes including a free-kick that sailed narrowly over and efforts denied by the framework and substitute goalkeeper Saturnin Alagbe the scoreline remained three.  

As the final whistle sounded, emotional teammates rushed to embrace Messi, cementing the end of an era defined by triumphs including the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.  

Reflecting on his journey spanning over two decades and 208 appearances, an emotional Messi thanked supporters, stating that wearing the national colors had been his highest source of pride.