Argentina star Lionel Messi played his farewell match as Argentina beat Benin 3-0. He had an excellent game with one goal, two assists, a perfect last dance. The real emotions unfolded after the match during
his speech. Players who had shared dressing rooms, victories, and heartbreaks with him could not hold back their tears during the speech. Thousands of fans in the stands cried with them. Messi’s voice cracked as he spoke. “It’s hard to talk. There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is my old man.” His father Jorge had passed only weeks earlier.
All the Argentina players & fans in tears during the final speech of Messi 🥹💔
– This is the ultimate level for a Sportsperson, Farewell Leo. https://t.co/NNYsGd4oIT
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 7, 2026
“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years. Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.” he said
Messi had carried the hopes of Argentina everyone he walked out. He answered every question with trophies including two Copa Américas, the Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup that finally silenced every critic.
Watch: Lionel Messi scores final goal for Argentina in emotional farewell
The Moment that defined a Career
After the final whistle the players gathered around their captain. Some hugged him tightly while others simply stood nearby, unable to speak. Coach Lionel Scaloni, himself in tears during the anthem, watched the man who had defined his era say goodbye. A giant “Gracias” banner had already been unfurled earlier in the day. Drones formed Messi’s silhouette in the Buenos Aires sky. Messi spoke of the group that made the dream possible. “I want to thank my teammates for the time I shared with this group. They made me fulfill a childhood dream.”
He reminded everyone that unity had been the secret. “When we are together, we are stronger than everyone else.” Then came the line that lingered longest: “Today might be one of the saddest because I’m standing here saying goodbye. I’m going to miss all of you so much, but I’ll always be on your side.” he added
He left the pitch for the last time as an Argentina player with his three sons walking beside him. The stadium rose as one. For once the chants of “Messi, Messi” carried less celebration and more farewell. At 39, the greatest player of his generation had called time on his international career. He will continue playing club football with Inter Miami.
