Lionel Messi received a special farewell during his final international appearance for Argentina as the national team faced Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match marked the end of Messi’s international career after more than two decades with the Argentina national team.
The 39 year old forward entered the match as Argentina’s captain and played in front of a packed Monumental Stadium. More than 85,000 supporters gathered for the occasion, creating an emotional atmosphere as the Argentine football icon prepared to make his final appearance for the national team.
The most symbolic moment during the match came in the 10th minute. Referee Fernando Véjar stopped play to allow the stadium to honour Messi, whose famous Argentina shirt number is 10. The decision followed a broader tribute organised around Messi’s international retirement.
When the game stopped, the crowd stood and applauded the Argentina captain. Supporters chanted Messi’s name while fireworks were set off around the stadium. Players from both Argentina and Benin also paused to take part in the tribute. Several Benin players approached Messi during the stoppage and acknowledged him before play resumed.
Messi responded to the reception by acknowledging the supporters. The moment was one of several tributes organised for his final Argentina appearance and reflected the significance of his number 10 shirt throughout his international career.
The farewell had been planned before the match. The Argentine Football Association had announced that the 10th minute would be used to honour Messi following his decision to retire from international football. The tribute was connected directly to the number he has worn throughout much of his Argentina career.
The match itself was arranged as a farewell fixture against Benin. FIFA had previously confirmed that Messi would make his final Argentina appearance against the African side at the Monumental on October 6, 2026.
The occasion began with an emotional build up before kick off. Messi arrived at the stadium to scenes of celebration from supporters. He was accompanied onto the pitch by his children, while his family members watched from the stadium. During the national anthem, Messi was visibly emotional as the crowd prepared to say goodbye to one of the most successful players in Argentina’s history.
A large Argentina shirt displaying the number 10 and the word Gracias was also placed on the pitch before the match. The presentation formed part of the wider farewell ceremony for Messi.
The final match was not only about the ceremony. Argentina went on to defeat Benin 3 0. Messi played a major role in the result, assisting Nicolas Otamendi for the opening goal and helping Argentina establish control of the match.
Nicolas Paz scored Argentina’s second goal before Messi had the opportunity to add his own name to the scoresheet. He converted a penalty in the second half, giving the home crowd another memorable moment during his farewell appearance. Reports confirmed that the goal was Messi’s 126th for Argentina.
The result added a fitting sporting conclusion to the occasion, although the main focus remained on Messi’s farewell. After the final whistle, the Argentina captain addressed the supporters and reflected on his international career.
Messi’s Argentina career lasted more than 20 years. He made his senior international debut in 2005 and went on to become the country’s record appearance holder and leading goalscorer. His international career included major successes such as the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.
His journey with Argentina was also marked by difficult periods. Messi experienced several major final defeats before eventually winning his first senior international title with the Copa América triumph in 2021. That victory was followed by further success, including the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022.
His performances for Argentina made him one of the most important figures in the history of the national team. His final appearance therefore attracted attention from fans across the country and from football supporters around the world.
The farewell also brought together Messi’s teammates, former teammates and supporters. Several football personalities shared messages ahead of the match, recognising his contribution to Argentina and the wider sport. Former teammate Neymar described Messi’s influence on football and thanked him for the memories they shared during their careers. Rodrigo De Paul also spoke about Messi’s influence on him both as a footballer and as a person.
The 10th minute tribute became one of the defining moments of the evening because it connected Messi’s identity directly with the number he has worn for Argentina. The pause allowed the entire stadium to participate rather than limiting the farewell to a formal ceremony before or after the game.
For the supporters inside the Monumental, the moment represented an opportunity to thank Messi for his contribution to the national team. For the players, it was also a rare occasion in which a competitive international match temporarily stopped to recognise a player's career.
Messi had previously announced his decision to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup. His farewell match against Benin therefore served as the final opportunity for Argentine supporters to watch him represent the national team on home soil.
The match also marked the closing chapter of Messi’s long association with the Argentina shirt. His international career included 208 appearances and a record number of goals for the country. By the end of the Benin match, his international goal tally had reached 126.
Although Messi will continue his club career, his Argentina chapter has now reached its conclusion. His final match included a goal, assists, a victory and an extended farewell from supporters.
The 10th minute tribute captured the significance of the occasion. As the match stopped and the Monumental crowd applauded, Messi stood at the centre of a farewell that involved both teams, the coaching staff and thousands of supporters.
For Argentina, the evening was a celebration of a player who helped the country achieve some of its most important football successes. For Messi, it was the conclusion of his international journey in front of the supporters who followed his career through triumphs, setbacks and ultimately major tournament victories.
The final score of 3 0 gave Argentina a winning conclusion, but the defining image of the night was the 10th minute pause. With the crowd standing and the players joining the tribute, the number 10 became the centre of an emotional farewell to Messi and his Argentina career.
