Lionel Messi's last game for Argentina: Pregame tears, a giant flying jersey and 1 final international goal

Lionel Messi played his final World Cup game for Argentina in July. On Tuesday, the soccer icon played his final international game of any kind in his last game with Argentina's national team. Tuesday's friendly between Argentina and Benin at Bueno Aires' Estadio Monumental turned into an emotional farewell and a chance for a nation that adores Messi to celebrate its hero one last time on the field. It also featured two more assists and one last international goal from Messi who played a part in each of Argentina’s goals in a 3-0 win. The celebration started long before game time. In Rosario, about 185 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, a helicopter towed a massive replica of Messi's No. 10 Argentina jersey around the city. The 10 is flying over Rosario.💙🇦🇷 👕✈️ A giant No. 10 jersey takes to the skies over Rosario in a tribute to the icon before his farewell with the Albiceleste. Is Messi Argentina’s greatest ever? 🐐👇 #beINSPORTS #Messi #Argentina pic.twitter.com/tSCPVtd51e — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 6, 2026 Back in Buenos Aires, there were tears before the festivities had a chance to start. As Argentina's team bus arrived at the stadium cameras captured Messi in tears on his final pregame ride with his teammates. 🚨| EMOTIONAL: Lionel Messi in tears upon his arrival at the Monumental for his farewell game. 🥹🇦🇷🐐 pic.twitter.com/0PKRcLVlTe — Winna F.C. (@WinnaFC) October 6, 2026 Once inside the stadium, Messi and the Argentina crowd were filled with emotion as the national anthem played. At the song's conclusion, fireworks launched from the field around another giant replica of Messi's jersey at midfield. NO PUEDO MÁS 😭🥺 pic.twitter.com/SCwp9ny0cA — TyC Sports (@TyCSports) October 6, 2026 Once the game began, not much time passed before another tribute ensued. Play stopped at the 10-minute mark for more fireworks and an in-game celebration that featured an extended standing ovation and a moment for Benin players to pay their respects directly to Messi. تكريم الملك في الدقيقة العاشرة 💔 pic.twitter.com/roeHscvycx — Messi World (@M10GOAT) October 6, 2026 But Messi's day wasn't done. Fans didn't show up just to watch him play for 10 minutes. And he provided the home crowd with plenty of thrills throughout the game. Messi delivered an on-target free kick in the 26th minute that Benin goaltender Marcel Dandjinou denied. Messi almost scored from a direct free kick but was denied by the goalkeeper. pic.twitter.com/rG6gUvEJh7 — High Footy IQ (@HighfootyiQ) October 7, 2026 Minutes later, he delivered got off another shot in transition that was also denied turned back by Dandjinou. مييييييييييييييسي 😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/cTWgXW7yfD — Messi World (@M10GOAT) October 7, 2026 But after halftime, Messi gave the fans what they showed up for with two assists and the final goal in Argentina's 3-0 win. Messi contributes to all 3 Argentina goals With the game in a scoreless tie, Messi delivered a corner kick from the left side in the 48th minute. The pass found Nicolás Otamendi, who powered the ball into the top of the net with his right foot for a 1-0 Argentina lead. pic.twitter.com/5Hwcn1QO0p — Omar (@6l8_UNL) October 7, 2026 Minutes later, Messi delivered with another assist. This time, he found Nico Paz just outside the box from the right sideline. Paz converted with a bending left-footer that snuck between Dandjinou and the goal post for a 2-0 Argentina lead in the 61st minute. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL NICO pic.twitter.com/kj7fcB50se — Messi World (@M10GOAT) October 7, 2026 Then in the 71st minute, Messi had the opportunity to put the ball in the net himself. A foul in the box set Argentina up for a penalty. 🚨 The moment Agustín Giay wins the penalty that Lionel Messi converts against Benin 🇦🇷🔥 pic.twitter.com/PxqeE4f5wn — Football on Predict (@FConPredict) October 7, 2026 Who else but Messi would take it? Messi lined up and delivered with a left-footed strike just out of reached of Dandjinou’s outstretched hands. WHAT A GOAL BY MESSI!!! MY GOATTTTT pic.twitter.com/e3HTRrLUEu — CA VA🐐 (@psg__chief) October 7, 2026 That was the last goal of the match and proved a fitting denouement to Messi’s spectacular international career in front of an adoring home crowd.