BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina national soccer team on Tuesday, marking the end of an era. The 39-year-old star bid farewell after 21 years, scoring a penalty and assisting two additional goals in a 3-0 victory over Benin in what turned into a poignant farewell game that many had long anticipated yet dreaded.

Read More

“It feels like an era is ending, knowing he won’t play for the national team anymore,” said 17-year-old Valentino Ruso, as he prepared to watch the match. “I’m sad. I think everyone is upset today. He will be missed.”

Messi's journey began in his hometown of Rosario, where he joined Barcelona's youth academy at the age of 13. Despite facing scrutiny and mixed receptions from Argentine fans during his career, his dedication to the national team eventually shone through. By the time he retired, he had scored 126 goals while winning two Copa América titles and one World Cup.

Regarding the farewell match, which sold out quickly, more than 85,000 fans attended, with tickets initially priced between $60 and $300 selling for over $2,500 on resale sites. Teammates from Argentina’s previous World Cup-winning squads returned to honor him.

After the final whistle, Messi was emotional, surrounded by applauding teammates and a captivated crowd chanting his name. He expressed his gratitude to the fans and his love for Argentina, saying, “I just want to tell you that I love you, I’m going to miss you, and I’m grateful to God to be Argentine.”

Messi's relationship with the Argentine public has been complex. While he won numerous titles at the club level, the national team had eluded him until 2021, when Argentina triumphed in the Copa América, followed by a World Cup win in 2022. These victories solidified his status as a national hero, transforming previous doubts about his commitment into admiration.

In the lead-up to the farewell, various homage tributes circulated in the media, from documentaries chronicling his achievements to murals celebrating his legacy. Buenos Aires’ Obelisk was lit up in the national colors, further illustrating the nation's reverence for Messi.

Fans who watched Messi grow up have celebrated his influence with tattoos and tributes, recognizing him as a unique figure in soccer history. "I don’t think we’ll have somebody like him again," said Pablo Brescia, a professor who studies Argentine culture.

While Messi’s playing days with the national team have concluded, he will continue his career with Inter Miami, extending the rituals surrounding his soccer legacy but concluding the chapter of carrying Argentina’s hopes on the international stage. As the match concluded, Messi took a final emotional lap around the stadium, soaking in the admiration of his supportive fans.