Most goals, most games, eight finals and 188 team-mates: Lionel Messi's Argentina career in numbers

Covered by The New York Times, Aol and 6 more since

  • Lionel Messi
  • Argentina
  • Benin
  • Buenos Aires
  • Nicolás Otamendi
  • Spain
  • Lionel Scaloni
  • Diego Maradona
A floodlit stadium at dusk filled with distant fans in sky blue and white, a single soccer ball resting on the center spot of the pitch.

What happened

Lionel Messi, 39, played his final match for Argentina on Tuesday, a 3-0 friendly win over Benin before about 85,000 fans at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental. He set up two goals and scored a penalty, finishing with 126 goals in 208 games over 21 years. He will keep playing club soccer for Inter Miami.

Summary

Lionel Messi said goodbye to Argentina's national team on Tuesday night with a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, as about 85,000 fans looked on. He had a hand in all three goals. His corner set up Nicolás Otamendi, who was also playing his last game for his country. His pass led to a curling finish by Nico Paz. Then Messi scored a penalty for his 126th international goal. It was his 208th game in a 21-year career that included the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa América championships. [1] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8]

The whole evening was built as a farewell. Argentina's soccer federation billed it as "the last tango", and tickets sold out in 90 minutes, with resale prices later topping $2,500. Players walked out with their children, and play stopped in the 10th minute so teammates and opponents could honor him. A giant No. 10 jersey reading "Gracias" covered the field, followed by fireworks and a drone show. At the center circle, Messi said he did not want to leave the field and promised to back "the guys who come next". Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's head coach, said he had "never seen that aura in anyone else" in his life. [1] [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Messi announced on Aug. 31 that he was leaving the national team, weeks after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain. He is not done playing. He will stay with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where his contract runs through 2028. ESPN reports that Scaloni, whose contract runs to the end of the year, appears close to a deal to stay on, though nothing is official. ESPN also names the 22-year-old Paz as the leading candidate to take over Messi's No. 10 shirt. [2] [3] [5] [7] [8]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 8 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

Did Messi score in his last game for Argentina?

Yes. He scored a penalty in the 3-0 win over Benin and set up the other two goals, by Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz. [3] [6] [7]

What are Messi's final numbers for Argentina?

He finished with 126 goals in 208 games over 21 years. His titles include the 2022 World Cup, two Copa Américas, a Finalissima and Olympic gold. [1] [6] [8]

Is Messi retiring from soccer completely?

No. He is leaving only the national team and will keep playing for Inter Miami, where his contract runs through 2028. [5] [8]

Sources 8

  1. 1The New York Times

    How Argentina paid tribute to Lionel Messi's career: 'Thank you so much - for having existed'

    BUENOS AIRES -- When (almost) everything was over, Lionel Messi decided to poke fun at himself in public.

    Read on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2Aol

    Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era

    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina is girding itself for the once-unimaginable prospect of a national team without soccer great Lionel Messi.

    Isabel Debre

    Read on Aol (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3ESPN.com

    Messi's final Argentina match was an emotional send-off worthy of a legend

    Back in 2004, when a 16-year-old Lionel Messi was coming through the ranks at Barcelona, his father Jorge was determined that the pressure from Spain's national team should be resisted and that his…

    Tim Vickery

    Read on ESPN.com (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4USA Today

    Argentina vs. Benin live updates as Messi plays last international match

    Lionel Messi will say goodbye to the Argentina national team on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in what promises to be an emotional night in Buenos Aires.

    Read on USA Today (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5Washington Post

    Messi plays his final game with Argentina, marking the end of an era

    The soccer star will continue playing with Inter Miami following his retirement from his home country's team.

    Read on Washington Post (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6Forbes

    Messi's Last Dance: Inside His Final Night With Argentina

    On Tuesday night at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, 85,000 fans gathered to say goodbye to Lionel Messi as he played his final match for the national team.

    Read on Forbes (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7NBC News

    Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era

    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentina is confronting a once-unimaginable reality: a national team without soccer great Lionel Messi.

    Read on NBC News (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8Sports Illustrated

    What Next for Lionel Messi After Argentina Retirement?

    Messi's international career finished with an emotional sendoff in Buenos Aires. So that's it. Lionel Messi is 208 and out.

    Andrew Headspeath

    Read on Sports Illustrated (opens in a new tab)