Lionel Messi ended his Argentina international career in memorable fashion on Tuesday night, scoring a goal and providing two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The October 6 match marked the end of Messi’s 21-year international career and his final appearance for Argentina. Former Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr was in charge of Benin for the farewell fixture.
According to Inter Miami, Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi for Argentina’s opening goal from a corner in the 48th minute before providing the assist for Nico Paz’s strike in the 61st minute. Messi then converted a penalty in the 71st minute to complete the 3-0 victory.
In a report published on October 6, Inter Miami said Messi was “directly involved in each of Argentina’s goals” and described the match as his “final international appearance,” noting that he finished with a goal and two assists.
Reuters reported that more than 85,000 spectators were at the Monumental Stadium to witness Messi bring the curtain down on his Argentina career.
Speaking after the match, Messi told Reuters: “It’s hard to talk.”
“There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head,” he added.
Reflecting on his time with the national team, Messi said it was “a huge source of pride” to have worn the Argentina shirt for more than 20 years.
“Playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you,” he said.
Messi finishes his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and its all-time leading scorer, with 126 goals, according to Reuters.
Ahead of the match, Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou made it clear that his team intended to compete rather than simply take part in Messi’s farewell.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca published on October 5, Dandjinou said: “This is football: eleven against eleven.”
“We are not here to do tourism in Argentina, we are here to play and compete,” he added.
The goalkeeper also rejected the idea that Benin would allow Messi to score as part of the farewell.
“I am a goalkeeper, and my role is to stop shots,” Dandjinou said.
Asked whether he would attempt to save a Messi penalty even in the final minute, he replied: “If Messi takes it, I will try to stop it.”
“Nobody has told us that we have to give him a goal,” he added.
Benin defender Mohamed Tijani also played down the idea of focusing exclusively on Messi. Speaking to C5N, according to Goal.com, he said: “We won’t be marking Messi.”
“We’ll just enjoy this match,” Tijani added.
Benin coach Gernot Rohr also acknowledged the significance of facing Messi in his final Argentina appearance.
In an interview with Footy-Africa published on October 6, Rohr said it was “a big honor” for both him and his team to be involved in Messi’s final match for the national side.
The fixture also marked a reunion of sorts for Rohr and Messi. The German previously coached Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the Super Eagles faced Argentina and Messi in the group stage.
Eight years later, Rohr found himself on the opposite side of another international fixture involving the Argentine superstar, this time as Benin coach for Messi’s farewell.
Argentina’s 3-0 victory brought Messi’s international career to a close with 208 appearances and 126 goals, cementing his status as the most-capped player and leading scorer in the history of the Argentina national team.
