Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi’s 21-year international career ended with an emotional farewell in Buenos Aires, bringing the curtain down on an era that transformed Argentina’s footballing fortunes and cemented his place among the country’s greatest sporting icons.

Messi, 39, marked his final appearance for Argentina by scoring a penalty and creating two goals in a 3-0 win over Benin before a packed Monumental Stadium. More than 85,000 fans gathered for the occasion, with the Argentine Football Association billing the match as his “last tango”.

Messi finished his international career with 126 goals in 208 appearances, winning the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and, most significantly, the 2022 World Cup.

After the final whistle, an emotional Messi told the crowd: “I just want to tell you that I love you, I’m going to miss you, and I’m grateful to God to be Argentine.”

His departure also drew a warm tribute from longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, underlining the mutual respect between two players whose rivalry defined an era of world football.

“Leo, after so many years of defending your country, you’ve made history that will last forever. I have the utmost respect for what you’ve accomplished with Argentina,” Ronaldo wrote on social media.

The farewell marked the end of a journey that once saw Messi criticised for failing to deliver a major international title. His Copa América triumph in 2021 and World Cup glory the following year silenced those doubts.

Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami, but Argentina must now confront international football without its iconic No. 10.