Argentina Ease Past Benin in Messi Farewell Match
Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Lionel Messi’s final international appearance at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires

In Brief
- •Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Lionel Messi’s final international appearance at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
- •Messi contributed to all three goals—two assists and a penalty—bringing his total to 126 goals for Argentina
- •The match drew over 85,000 spectators and featured Messi’s No. 10 shirt with “gracias” on the back
- •Messi’s 208 caps and 126 goals make him Argentina’s most capped player and leading scorer
Why It Matters
Lionel Messi’s retirement marks the end of an era for Argentine football and global football, as he remains the most decorated player in the country’s history. His final match, a 3‑0 victory over Benin, underscored his lasting influence on the national team’s success and set a benchmark for future generations.
Key Details
- Final Score
- 3-0
- Venue
- Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
- Attendance
- >85,000
- Messi Goals
- 1 (penalty)
- Messi Assists
- 2
Context & Background
Messi’s 21‑year international career culminated in a 3‑0 win over Benin, marking his final appearance for Argentina after winning multiple major trophies, including the 2024 Copa América and the 2026 World Cup.
Original Reporting & Sources
VNews is an independent briefing product. Original reporting remains credited to the following publishers:
This brief was synthesized automatically using attributed third-party reporting. VNews is a digital news publication produced under the VContent Group brand and operated by Francis Vincent Sunday in Ghana, independent from the publishers cited above. Read our AI Transparency Policy and Editorial & Corrections Policy.