Lionel Messi bids emotional farewell to Argentina team

Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina national team, known as the Albiceleste, in a 3-0 victory against Benin. The 39-year-old scored a penalty, assisted Nicols Otamendi for the opening goal, and provided Nico Paz with a second goal through a curling strike.

This match marked the conclusion of Messi's more than 20-year international career, during which he scored 126 goals for Argentina. After the final whistle, Messi expressed his pride in representing his country, stating, “It was a huge pride to be able to defend this shirt for more than 20 years.” He conveyed his emotional attachment to the team and thanked his teammates for helping him achieve his dreams, including winning the World Cup, Copa América, and Finalissima.

As he circled the stadium, fans chanted, “Messi is not leaving,” highlighting the impact he had on Argentine football.