By Emmanuel Nduka
Africa’s Benin has entered the history books of world football after becoming the final international opponent Lionel Messi faced in his Argentina career, as the South American champions defeated the Squirrels 3-0 in an emotional farewell in Buenos Aires.
The international friendly at the Monumental Stadium on Tuesday marked the end of Messi’s 21-year journey with Argentina, with more than 85,000 supporters turning out to celebrate one of football’s most decorated players. Benin, representing Africa on the historic occasion, provided the opposition for the final chapter of the Argentine captain’s international career.
Messi, 39, delivered a performance befitting the occasion, scoring once and providing two assists as Argentina completed the 3-0 victory.
The Argentine captain created the opening goal in the 48th minute, delivering a corner that Nicolás Otamendi converted to put the hosts ahead.
Messi turned provider again in the 61st minute, setting up Nico Paz, who doubled Argentina’s advantage with a well-placed finish.
Twelve minutes later, Messi completed his farewell by converting a penalty to score Argentina’s third goal and his 126th international goal.
The victory brought Messi’s international career to a close with records that underline his extraordinary contribution to Argentina. He finished as the country’s most-capped player with 208 appearances and its all-time leading scorer with 126 goals.
His 21-year international journey also produced Argentina’s 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph.
For Benin, however, the occasion represented more than a friendly defeat. The West African nation now occupies a unique place in football history as the team that stood opposite Messi in his final international appearance for Argentina.
The significance of the encounter had been known ahead of the match, with Benin selected to face Argentina for Messi’s farewell appearance at the Estadio Monumental.
The match itself carried a deeply emotional atmosphere, with tributes to Messi throughout the evening. The game was stopped in the 10th minute, corresponding with his famous No. 10 shirt, for a special ovation from the packed stadium.
At the final whistle, Messi received another prolonged ovation as Argentina celebrated the end of an era.
While Argentina celebrated its football icon, Benin left Buenos Aires with an enduring place in the story as the African side that shared the pitch with Messi on the night the legendary Argentine finally said goodbye to international football.
