Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina's national team

BUENOS AIRES, 7 OCTOBER 2026 —

Lionel Messi closed his 21‑year spell with the Argentina national team on Tuesday, October 6, at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, scoring his 126th international goal and assisting the opening strike in a 3‑0 win over Benin.

The farewell match, billed as “The Last Tango”, drew a sell‑out crowd of 85,000. A giant Argentina jersey bearing the word “Gracias” above Messi’s No 10 was laid on the pitch shortly before kickoff, and the stadium erupted when the team entered. The game was briefly halted in the 10th minute – the minute‑long tribute matching Messi’s iconic shirt number – before play resumed.

Messi, 39, entered the field in his record‑extending 208th appearance for Argentina. He provided the assist for veteran centre‑back Nicolás Otamendi’s opening goal and later converted a penalty in the 71st minute to register his 126th goal for the country, surpassing the previous record. Nico Paz added a third goal as Argentina cruised to victory.

The match concluded with a drone display that projected Messi’s silhouette across the night sky, accompanied by a thank‑you message to the eight‑time Ballon d’Or winner.

The emotional atmosphere extended beyond the pitch. As the team’s bus approached the stadium, Messi was seen wiping away tears while fans lined the route, waving and chanting his name. Inside the stadium, the Argentine anthem was sung by Falklands‑War veteran Fabio Santana beside a banner reading “The Malvinas are Argentine”, echoing the flag raised after Argentina’s 2‑1 World Cup semi‑final win over England.

Messi’s family – wife Antonela Roccuzzo, their three children and his mother Celia Cuccittini – watched from a VIP box, offering waves and applause as he took the field.

Earlier in the day, the University of Buenos Aires conferred an honorary doctorate on Messi at a ceremony held at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters. Messi, who has previously expressed regret at not pursuing higher education, joked, “To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!” The tribute was complemented by a massive Argentine flag unfurled outside the AFA headquarters, emblazoned with Messi’s image and the caption “The joy of my life”.

Messi’s retirement from international football was announced in August, ending a career that spanned more than two decades, comprised 207 caps and 125 goals at the time of the announcement.

In his retirement note, he wrote, “I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance.” The decision came two and a half months after Argentina’s 1‑0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey, where Messi left the field in tears.

While his international career concludes, Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028. The Argentine star, who recently mourned the death of his father Jorge, hinted that he may consider hanging up his boots altogether, though no formal statement on his club future has been released.

Former Barcelona teammate Neymar paid tribute to Messi on the social platform X, writing, “It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more.” The global football community echoed similar sentiments, with fans and former teammates sharing messages of gratitude across social media.

Messi’s final appearance is expected to have a ripple effect on the sports‑related market segments in Malaysia and the wider region. Merchandise sales for Argentina kits and Messi‑branded apparel have surged in the days leading up to the match, with retailers reporting heightened demand. Broadcast rights holders in Southeast Asia have noted a spike in viewership for the friendly, reflecting the star’s enduring commercial appeal.

Analysts anticipate that the heightened exposure could boost sponsorship valuations for clubs and leagues that secure Messi‑related content, even as his on‑field role in Argentina ends.

The farewell capped a career that reshaped football’s commercial landscape, with Messi’s brand consistently ranking among the world’s most valuable. His departure from international duty marks the end of an era for Argentina and for the global football market, while his remaining club commitments keep him in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.

Related: Monumental Stadium