Messi bows out of international football with a goal and two assists
Lionel Messi has played his last match for Argentina. In a friendly against Benin (3–0) he scored once and set up two more.
His farewell match was played on Tuesday 6 October at River Plate's stadium in Buenos Aires.
A decision announced in August
The 39-year-old announced the end of his international career on 31 August. He wrote that “the right time has come”, although the decision still hurts.
His last competitive match was the World Cup final in North America on 19 July, which Argentina lost 1–0 to Spain after extra time.
“I leave with gratitude, pride and peace,” Messi said.
The numbers that remain
Messi finishes with 208 caps, 126 goals and 70 assists for Argentina. He made his debut in 2005.
With the national team he won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Copa América twice (2021 and 2024) and Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008. Earlier, in 2005, he also won the Under-20 World Cup.
Source: Interia, transfery.info, Flashscore (6–7 Oct 2026)