Messi steps down from the football stage, forever crowned in ultimate victory
The legend of a game, Lionel Messi, bids adieu to the global fans from a local Argentine stadium
On a glorious evening in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi bid farewell to international football. As the sun was rising on a new day in Bangladesh, a golden chapter came to an end at the Monumental. In his farewell match, Messi wore the crown of victory. Despite losing 3-0, the small West African nation of Benin, on the Gulf of Guinea, remained a witness to the football magician’s last dance. In the final match of his career, the World Cup-winning superstar once again displayed the familiar brilliance that has defined him throughout his career. He scored himself and set up goals for his teammates.
The match at the historic Estadio Monumental was scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. local time, but the start was delayed by nearly 30 minutes because of various ceremonies and the overwhelming excitement of the crowd. In honor of Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey, the referee stopped play for two minutes in the 10th minute. During that time, players, officials and spectators in the stands stood for two minutes, applauding in unison and chanting “Ole, Ole Messi” to salute the superstar. The Benin players on the field also shook hands with Messi and paid tribute to him. Fireworks lit up the stadium during the celebration.
Argentina dominated possession from the very beginning. In the seventh minute, Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou denied consecutive shots from Enzo Fernandez and Lionel Messi. Messi and Lautaro Martinez created several chances in the first half. In the 24th minute, Messi’s shot from Rodrigo De Paul’s through ball narrowly missed the target. Two minutes later, the Benin goalkeeper again got his gloves to Messi’s powerful left-footed shot from outside the box. Benin, meanwhile, threatened Argentina’s defense several times on the counterattack. Nicolas Otamendi received a yellow card in first-half stoppage time, with the score still 0-0.
That same Otamendi put Argentina ahead shortly after halftime. In the 48th minute, Lionel Messi received the ball from a corner. From his precise cross, the experienced defender sent the ball into the net with a powerful right-footed shot from close to the edge of the box. Messi also played a key role in Argentina’s second goal. In the 61st minute, Nico Paz received a perfectly weighted pass from Messi outside the box and fired a superb left-footed shot directly into the net, becoming the potential heir to Messi’s No. 10 jersey.
The Albiceleste became even more aggressive toward the end of the match. In the 68th minute, Argentina were awarded a penalty after Benin defender Tamimou Ouoro fouled an Argentine player inside the box. In the 71st minute, Lionel Messi himself joined the goal celebration, making it 3-0 with a left-footed shot from the penalty spot. At that point, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni brought on Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso and two young sensations, Franco Mastantuono and Lionel Flores, replacing Enzo Fernandez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez. Messi missed the target with a shot in the 74th minute.
Argentina created several more scoring opportunities late in the match. However, Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe’s skill prevented any further goals. In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Argentina won a direct free kick just outside the box. Lionel Messi himself stood over the ball. The entire stadium fell completely silent. Messi struck his familiar left-footed free kick, but the ball sailed well over the crossbar. Moments later, the referee blew the final whistle.
And with that, Lionel Messi’s glorious international career came to an end.
