Messi Retires from Argentina with 3-0 Win Over Benin in Emotional Buenos Aires Farewell
Lionel Messi concluded his 21-year international career on October 6, 2026, scoring a penalty and providing two assists in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match, billed as 'The Last Tango,' marked his 208th cap and featured a massive crowd of over 85,000 fans. Despite a lackluster performance by the Argentine side, the event served as a national farewell, with Messi addressing the crowd and confirming his retirement from national duty while continuing his club career with Inter Miami.