Messi Scores 1 Goal, 2 Assists in Final Match for Argentina

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) shared an emotional farewell with fans, recording one goal and two assists to cap off his national team career spanning over 22 years.

Messi started as a right winger in a three-man forward line and played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Benin held today (October 7, Korea time) at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. He delivered a stellar one-man show, scoring a penalty kick for the team's final goal and adding two assists to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory.

The match served as a farewell game for Messi, who announced his retirement from the Argentine national team on August 31 local time.

Having made his senior international debut in August 2005, Messi previously chose to retire from the national team following a loss in the 2016 Copa America final, but reversed his decision after earnest pleas from the country's president and fans.

After finishing as runners-up at this year's North and Central America World Cup and making his second retirement announcement, he played his farewell match in front of home fans.

Facing Benin as his final international opponent, Messi lived up to expectations by registering one goal and two assists, directly contributing to all three goals scored by Argentina.

With this, Messi concludes his national team career with 126 goals in 208 international appearances, leaving behind a monumental record that includes one World Cup title (2022), two Copa America titles (2021, 2024), and one Finalissima victory (2022).

It was literally a farewell match of Messi, by Messi, and for Messi.

Starting as Argentina's right winger in a 4-3-3 formation, Messi attempted four shots in the first half but was unable to find the back of the net.

Notably, in the 10th minute of the first half, the referee temporarily paused the match to commemorate Messi's jersey number 10, creating a special moment where fans and all players on the pitch applauded and cheered for him.

The deadlock was finally broken by Messi's feet just three minutes into the second half.

Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica) rushed toward the center of the goal to meet Messi's left-wing corner kick with a right-footed volley, successfully scoring and recording Messi as the assist provider for Argentina's opening goal.

Messi added his second assist of the match in the 16th minute of the second half, passing to Nico Paz (Como) near the right side of the penalty area, whose left-footed shot found the back of the net.

In the 26th minute of the second half, Argentina earned a penalty kick, and Messi stepped up as the kicker, scoring with a right-footed shot to widen the score to 3-0.

With this goal, Messi increased his international goal tally to 126.

When the referee's final whistle blew, the referee alongside players from both Argentina and Benin embraced Messi to express gratitude for his dedication to the national team spanning over 21 years. Meanwhile, a spectacular drone show lit up the night sky, forming shapes of a jersey with the number 10 and Messi's face to commemorate his retirement.

(Photo: Getty Images, AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.