Lionel Messi played his final match for the Argentina national team on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, ending a 21-year international career. The 39-year-old captain played in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. The event drew approximately 85,000 spectators to the venue, surpassing the attendance of a Super Bowl.
The retirement follows a period of international success for Messi, including a 2022 World Cup title and a second consecutive World Cup final appearance this past summer at MetLife Stadium. While the summer final resulted in a victory for Spain, Messi’s tenure saw the national team secure multiple Copa América titles. CBS News reported that Messi had provided "20 years of service" to the national squad prior to this farewell match.
Fans in Buenos Aires and international cities such as New York observed the final appearance. In the Argentine capital, streets were reported to be filled with people wearing Messi's jersey, and an actual goat was brought to the stadium area as a symbol of his status as the "greatest of all time." Although Messi has concluded his international duties, he is scheduled to continue his professional career with his club team in Miami.
Messi’s departure follows in the tradition of past icons like Diego Maradona. With the final whistle on October 6, the team begins a new era of competitive play, while Messi remains under contract with his club team for the foreseeable future. No specific date for his total retirement from club soccer was reported.