Lionel Messi’s farewell to Argentina: A night of fireworks, tears and one last goal

Lionel Messi’s final for Argentina will never be just another football match. The Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires was transformed into a celebration of the country’s greatest icon of modern football as Argentina took on Benin and fans filled the stadium in light blue and white to see Messi represent the national team for the last time.

Even Angel Di Maria, who announced his retirement from international football after the previous edition of the Copa America, was among the big-name stars present alongside the Argentina side, albeit not in a playing capacity. There were also familiar faces in the stands, legendary French striker David Trezeguet was spotted with his daughter watching Messi go through his pre-match warm-up routine.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Tribute started before football. Inside the Monumental, a huge No. 10 jersey was displayed with the word “Gracias”, a simple message that captured the mood of the stadium gathered for farewell. The stands were awash in the colors of Argentina, the fans wearing the national team jersey and waiting to see the man who gave them some of the most memorable moments in their footballing history.

Then Messi entered the pitch. Fireworks erupted around the Monumental as Messi’s sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro accompanied as the national anthems played. As the Argentine anthem reached its crescendo, Messi was visibly moved to tears. Lionel Scaloni, too, struggled to hide his emotions, while Nicolas Otamendi stood beside his captain with the weight of the occasion evident.

Before the coin toss, the Benin captain presented Messi with a special memento that looked like an Amazonian-style sculpture, along with a letter. Then finally came football.

MESSI GOES

Messi’s first touch of the ball was met with a brief but loud burst of applause. The No.10 won possession and immediately returned it to a defender, helping Argentina recycle the ball as the hosts struggled to regain control. There was no frantic running from Messi. Instead, he moved around the field in a familiar way that would become one of the defining looks of his career, walking into space, looking for passing lanes and waiting for an opportunity to make something happen.

It didn’t take long. In the seventh minute, Messi played a quick one-two outside the box before turning towards goal and firing from the box. The Benin keeper dealt with it and prevented Messi’s first attempt at the goal of the evening.

Three minutes later, Monumental exploded again. At 10 minutes, players and supporters joined in a special tribute to Messi’s achievements. Another burst of fireworks lit up the stadium as the crowd rose to applaud the Argentina captain.

But supporters had another moment they wanted. They wanted a goal. In the 23rd minute, you could feel the anticipation every time Messi moved towards the penalty area. He burst into the mix and looked to have an opportunity to finish but was unable to finish.

Argentina continued to dictate possession, but Benin managed to prevent the hosts from turning their possession into a breakthrough. By halftime, there was little separating the two teams. The first half ended goalless and the opportunity briefly moved off the pitch as Los Fundamentalistas stepped out in front of the crowd.

ARGENTINA TAKE CONTROL

Argentina wasted little time after the restart. Messi was the architect again, sending a free kick into the danger area for Nicolas Otamendi to finish in style. It was a particularly significant moment for Otamendi, who was also playing his last game for Argentina. His night ended shortly after when he was substituted, allowing him to leave the field after making his final contribution to the national team.

Messi then had a chance to get his name on the scoresheet from a free kick. The opportunity was there, the crowd was ready, but the attempt did not find the target. However, Argentina would not have to wait much longer for the second goal.

This time it was Nico Paz who provided the moment. Paz collected the ball on the right, cut inside and curled his effort into the net, producing a finish that carried the unmistakable echo of a goal Messi has scored countless times throughout his career.

The symbolism was hard to ignore. Paz is among the young players expected to carry Argentina forward and is seen as one of the players who could eventually take over the number 10 shirt and become one of the main figures for the Albiceleste. But this was still Messi’s night.

THE MOMENT IS COMING

The biggest moment came in the 69th minute. Augustin Ndiaye was fouled inside the box and Argentina were awarded a penalty. Messi’s teammates immediately surrounded him, almost as if they were protecting the penalty taker, as they would in a fiercely competitive game. It was no secret who would take it.

Messi put the ball down. Monumental waited and then delivered. The penalty was knocked into the upper right corner, leaving the goalkeeper without a chance. The Argentina players immediately surrounded their captain and jumped around him in celebration.

Messi had his farewell goal. The sight of his teammates gathering around him was perhaps the most fitting celebration for the occasion. It wasn’t just about the score anymore. It was a group of players celebrating the final moments of a career that shaped Argentine football for almost two decades.

But even with the farewell in full swing, Messi’s competitive instincts remained. He soon charged towards the right corner to keep the ball out of play, showing a familiar intensity that terrorized defenders throughout his career.

ONE LAST CHANCE

Messi had a unique opportunity to add a second. Nico Gonzalez found him with a perfectly balanced low cross, giving the Argentina captain the chance to finish from close range. But the finish wasn’t there.

Messi scuffed his effort away with his weaker foot and wasted a chance that, even by his extraordinary standards, would have been expected to end up in the back of the net. With about 10 minutes left plus an intermission, the reality of this event began to set in. The end was near.

Still, Messi continued to play as if another match was just around the corner. He was constantly finding teammates with passes, creating openings and delivering balls into dangerous areas even as Argentina’s forwards struggled to convert them. Another opportunity came when one of Messi’s strikes was deflected by the keeper and hit the post.

However, the clock was now working against him. The last minutes came and Monumentál began to sing. Argentina supporters knew what was coming and raised their voices as Messi’s final moments in the national shirt approached.

Then came the last chance. Just before the final whistle, Argentina won a free kick about 21 meters from the goal. Phones popped up across the stadium and the anticipation was palpable. For a player who has produced so many magical set-piece moments, it felt like the perfect opportunity for one final signature moment.

But it wasn’t like that. Messi’s effort flew over and wide.

There would be no perfect finish, no final free-kick curled into the corner and no last-second masterpiece. Perhaps it was the most humane way to end the night.

Messi has already given Argentina everything. On a night built to say goodbye to his sons, he walked onto the Monumental field, fought back tears during the national anthem, created a goal, scored one himself and continued to look for another until the final moments.

Finally the final whistle came. Fireworks, a giant number 10, tears, a goal and songs were all part of one finals night.

Lionel Messi last represented Argentina at the Monumental. And this time the message from the stands was not expected.

It was simply: Gracias, Leo.

– The end