Playing through tears. How Messi played a farewell match for the national team

On the night of October 7 Moscow time Lionel Messi played the last match for the national team of Argentina. In the friendly game, the finalists of the World Cup-2026 met with modest Benin, who occupies 93rd place.

Many football stars attended the game.

Messi broke down in tears before the meeting on the bus, seeing the support of the fans. He could not hold back his tears while singing the anthem.

The player went on the field with his children, who also did not restrain emotions.

Fans filled the legendary 85,000-seat stadium "Monumental" in Buenos Aires, which still remembers the victory of the Argentine national team at the world Cup in 1978.

Tickets were sold out in a matter of minutes after the start of sales, and in the secondary market their price began from $ 550,000.

Fans came to the match with a variety of attributes with Messi. Many brought personal photos with the legendary footballer.

Sponsors of the Argentine national team have prepared gifts for fans - free Messi masks and other paraphernalia dedicated to the football legend.

The sponsors also published an appeal to Messi on T-shirts, billboards and their products.

T-shirts with the number Messi (10) and the inscription “Thank you” were hung all over Argentina.

In the 10th minute, the meeting was suspended: fans and players, including opponents, applauded one of the most famous “ten” in the history of football.

This moment was also emotional for Messi.

The party was a success. Argentina defeated Benin 3-0, and Messi received the highest marks in the match.

At first he scored two assists, although the Argentine did not hide that he wanted more.

Messi didn't realize a few points.

In the 71st minute, the Argentine got a chance to score a goal. Decided to hit a penalty.

This move was risky as he is not the best penalty player. Three previous 11-meter strikes, the Argentine did not realize. This happened in the World Cup matches with Austria and Egypt, as well as in the August MLS game with Nashville.

But this time hit the gate from the 11-meter mark.

Thus, Messi finished his career in the national team of Argentina with 208 matches, 126 goals and 69 assists. This is a record in the history of the national team.

After the meeting, the ceremony of honoring the Argentine “ten” began.

He gave a speech in front of the stadium. He did not hide that he was nervous and wandered on a pedestal.

Messi began his speech by thanking his father, who passed away on August 7.

“Today, it is difficult to say something, there are many emotions, a lot of things go through my head. The first thing I think about is my father. It has been an honor to protect this shirt for over 20 years. Even in the toughest moments we’ve been through, I’ve never stopped fighting, fighting, giving my best and always being there. Not coming here again will be very painful. I swear to you, I would like to come all my life because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen.

The athlete said that the last World Cup for him in 2026 was not easy. He mentioned the team's proximity to the dream of a world championship, adding that they had "given everything" and the match against England was a "huge load." The footballer assured that he and his comrades always fought and "give everything for this shirt.".

After Messi made a lap of honor and cried again.

The evening ended with a pyrotechnic show.

Messi won his first trophy without taking into account the Olympics with the national team at a late age - at the age of 34. Many people are ending their careers by this time.

All the time until 2021, he faced criticism from the local press, who believed that the player for Barcelona performs better than for the national team and does not show leadership qualities in the Argentina shirt.

At the same time, in 2014-2016, Messi lost three consecutive finals with the national team - the 2014 World Cup and the 2015/2016 Copa America.

In 2021 he won the Copa America, in 2022 he became world champion. In 2024, he won the last major trophy in the national team - the Copa America.

Messi is the only Argentine in history with three World Cup finals.