Lionel Messi retires from Argentina national team after final match

Lionel Messi Argentina national team international retirement Estadio Monumental Benin

Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. In his 208th and final appearance for the national team, the 39-year-old captain recorded one goal—his 126th for Argentina—and two assists.

The match, attended by over 85,000 spectators, included a dedicated 10th-minute tribute to Messi. Goals from Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz, along with Messi's penalty in the 70th minute, secured the win. The evening was marked by high emotion, with coach Lionel Scaloni and teammates visibly moved during the national anthem and post-match celebrations.

Messi leaves the international stage as Argentina's all-time leader in both appearances and goals. He expressed deep gratitude to his family, teammates, and fans, stating, “It was an incredible journey... I am grateful, proud, and leaving with a sense of peace.”

Entities

AFA · Argentina national football team · Argentina national team · Benin National Team · Benin national football team · Burkina Faso National Football Team · Burkina Faso National Team · Estadio Monumental · Estadio Mâs Monumental · Lionel Messi · Lionel Scaloni · University of Buenos Aires

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, and Franco Mastantuono each scored during the match. kessiya.com
[● 10 SOURCES] Messi is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Argentina national team. hondurasalinstante.com · bellerdigital.net
[● 8 SOURCES] The Burkina Faso delegation reported logistical issues including lack of hot water and inadequate training facilities in Argentina. kessiya.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Tickets for the farewell match at Estadio Monumental sold out within two hours.
[● 10 SOURCES] Messi has accumulated 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina. hondurasalinstante.com · www.formosadeportiva.com.ar · bellerdigital.net
[● 17 SOURCES] Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7-0 in a recent match. www.formosadeportiva.com.ar · bellerdigital.net · fmlibertadfeliciano.com.ar · kessiya.com
[● 25 SOURCES] Lionel Messi will play his final match for the Argentina national team on Tuesday, October 6, against Benin. hondurasalinstante.com · www.formosadeportiva.com.ar · bellerdigital.net · www.eschaco.com · fmlibertadfeliciano.com.ar
[● 5 SOURCES] Messi announced his decision to retire from international football due to physical and mental exhaustion. www.formosadeportiva.com.ar · fmlibertadfeliciano.com.ar
[● 8 SOURCES] Argentina defeated Burkina Faso with a score of 7-0. www.formosadeportiva.com.ar
[● 7 SOURCES] Lionel Messi has accumulated 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina. hondurasalinstante.com · bellerdigital.net
[● 5 SOURCES] Messi designed a commemorative shirt to symbolize his legacy in Argentine football.
[● 7 SOURCES] Lionel Scaloni expects the match against Benin to be a highly emotional event for everyone involved. www.formosadeportiva.com.ar