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Lionel Messi Calls Argentina Retirement the Saddest Day of His Career

Posted : 07 October 2026

Lionel Messi has described his retirement from international football as the “saddest day of my career” after making his final appearance for Argentina in a 3-0 victory over Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium. The 39-year-old captain ended his 21-year international journey with a goal and two assists in front of more than 85,000 emotional supporters.

Speaking to the crowd after the match, Messi reflected on the immense pride he felt representing Argentina for more than two decades. He admitted that stepping away from the national team would be painful, saying he would have loved to continue playing for Argentina for the rest of his life.

The farewell proved to be a fitting final chapter for Messi. He assisted Nicolás Otamendi for the opening goal before setting up Nico Paz to double Argentina’s advantage, then converted a late penalty to complete the 3-0 victory and take his international goal tally to 126.

Messi said he had no regrets about choosing this moment to leave international football. He pointed to the physical and emotional demands of Argentina’s recent World Cup campaign, which ended with defeat to Spain in the final, as well as the personal difficulties he experienced afterward.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni paid an emotional tribute to Messi, describing him as a unique talent and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to coach him. Scaloni said Messi had left an extraordinary legacy and that Argentina must now build a strong collective team to move forward without its longtime talisman.

Messi leaves international football as Argentina’s most-capped player, with 208 appearances, and its all-time leading scorer with 126 goals. His career with the national team included Copa América triumphs in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 World Cup, the title that fulfilled his long-held ambition of becoming a world champion with Argentina.

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