Messi scores and sets up two goals in final Argentina appearance
publishers 58articles 82first reported 5 Oct, 09:30 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 15 editionstop 25 #12
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Playing before more than 85,000 spectators, Messi helped break a scoreless tie after halftime by supplying the ball for fellow departing veteran Nicolás Otamendi’s opening goal. He then set up Nico Paz for Argentina’s second before converting a penalty in the 71st minute.
The 39-year-old finished his international career as Argentina’s record holder for appearances and goals, with 208 caps and 126 goals. He won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles during his time with the national team.
Messi was visibly emotional during tributes before and after the match. A giant Argentina shirt bearing his No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was displayed, while a drone show illuminated the sky after the final whistle.
“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years,” Messi told the crowd. He said no longer joining the national team would be deeply painful, adding that playing for Argentina was “the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni thanked Messi for his career and said his departure left an “incredible legacy.”
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 7 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 54 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
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- This version written
- 54 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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