Lionel Messi: Every word from emotional farewell speech as Argentina stars reduced to tears
Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football following an emotional final match for Argentina against Benin. The 39-year-old concludes his career as the nation's all-time leading goalscorer and cap holder.
Why it matters
Messi is widely considered one of the greatest athletes in history, and his retirement marks the end of a significant era in global sports.
Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you" after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires .
The 39-year-old ends his international career with 208 senior caps, the most of any player in the team's history, with his 126 goals for Argentina also a record.
Messi won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas during his 21-year spell on the international stage.
On an emotional night, Messi also created the first two goals, assisting first another departing Argentina player in 38-year-old centre-back Nicolas Otamendi and then Nico Paz .
"I feel so many emotions," Messi, who announced his international retirement following this summer's World Cup and the death of his father, said in quotes reported by the Argentinean Football Association.
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