Messi Farewell: Goal, Two Assists and a Ronaldo Hug

The Messi farewell is done, and it was exactly as loud and emotional as everyone hoped. On Tuesday night at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi played his 208th and final game for Argentina, a 3-0 win over Benin, and walked off as the most capped and highest-scoring player the national team has ever had.

Here is the stat line that will live on every timeline: a penalty goal and two assists. The penalty was his 126th international goal. According to the Indian Express, he also extended his world record for international assists to 68 by setting up Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz.

How the night actually played out

In the Messi farewell, the first half stayed goalless, with two Messi free kicks saved. Three minutes after the break he whipped in a corner that Otamendi headed home, a goal that also marked a farewell for the veteran defender after a 17-year international career, as Goal.com reported. In the 61st minute Messi laid on a second for Paz, who curled it in.

Then came the moment fans were waiting for. In the 71st minute Argentina won a penalty and Messi sent it into the roof of the net. About 85,000 fans were on their feet, according to Al Jazeera, and a drone show lit up the sky at the final whistle.

The match was also paused in the 10th minute, a nod to the number on his shirt. It was a small detail, but it showed how much this was designed as a tribute and not just a friendly.

What Messi said

Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, a little over two months after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in New Jersey in July. After the game he told the crowd it had been a huge source of pride to defend the jersey for more than 20 years.

A day later he posted a longer message. According to Al Jazeera, he wrote: "Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know I'm making the right decision." He also thanked Diego Maradona, saying he helped them both from heaven, and thanked his clubs for letting him play for his country whenever it was time.

Ronaldo responds

The reply that got the most attention came from his biggest rival. Cristiano Ronaldo answered Messi's post with a message saying he had "the utmost respect for what you've accomplished with Argentina," and signed off with "A hug," Al Jazeera reported.

The pair won the Ballon d'Or 13 times between them and defined football for more than 15 years. Ronaldo, 41, has 146 goals for Portugal, the only total higher than Messi's 126. The timing was awkward for him: the same day, he apologised for walking out of Portugal's camp after a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus, and it remains unclear whether he will play for his country again.

The side drama nobody asked for

Not everything was a love letter. Benin coach Gernot Rohr told RMC radio his players were turned away when they tried to get photos and shirt swaps with Messi. "The only shame is that the Argentines gave us nothing," he said, adding that security would not let them into the tunnel or the dressing room, according to the Indian Express.

Rohr did say he gave a 2018 Messi shirt to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who got it signed and returned it. Reports in the Italian press have also suggested Messi was not keen on a farewell game at all, though that claim has not been confirmed by him.

What comes next

The international chapter is closed, but the club one is not. Messi, 39, is still under contract with Inter Miami through the 2028 MLS season. So while Argentina fans say goodbye, American soccer fans still get to watch him play.

For Gen Z, who grew up watching him lift the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America trophies, this feels like the end of an era. Check our sports coverage and the latest football stories for more. Sources: Al Jazeera and the Indian Express. Argentina's farewell for Messi will be remembered for years.