Argentina captain Lionel Messi has brought his international career to a close, saying he already misses wearing the country’s famous sky-blue and white shirt despite being convinced he has made the right decision.
The 39-year-old made his 208th and final appearance for Argentina on 6 October 2026, scoring a penalty and supplying two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
More than 85,000 supporters watched Messi’s farewell as he ended a 21-year international career in which he became Argentina’s most-capped player and record goalscorer.
Writing on social media on Wednesday, 7 October, Messi reflected on the occasion and the emotions surrounding his departure from international football.
“Yesterday was my final match, and I already miss wearing the sky blue and white. I know I’m making the right decision. It’s been an incredible journey, full of joy and also some sadness, but I know that every step I took was worth it.”
Messi also remembered Diego Maradona, the Argentina great and late World Cup winner, and acknowledged his influence on the nation’s football history.
“I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know helped us by being there with us, also from heaven, every step of the way.”
The performance provided a fitting conclusion to Messi’s Argentina career. He set up Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz before scoring from the spot in the second half to claim his 126th and final international goal.
Messi made his Argentina debut in 2005 and experienced difficult periods before delivering the major international honours that had long eluded him. He faced criticism after Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final and then suffered defeat in consecutive Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.
The turning point came in 2021, when Messi captained Argentina to Copa America success and helped end the country’s 28-year wait for a major senior international trophy.
He added the Finalissima in 2022 before leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar later that year. Those achievements changed the way he was viewed by supporters, with the player once criticised for not winning an international trophy becoming the captain who returned some of the game’s biggest prizes to Argentina.
Messi departs after 208 appearances, 126 goals and more than two decades representing his country. His final match at the Monumental included a goal, two assists and an emotional farewell, bringing his international career to an end with his legacy firmly established.
By Erica Odeenyin Odoom
