Football: Lionel Messi plays final game for Argentina
Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi bowed out of international football with one last goal for his country. For football in Argentina, and indeed across the world, it's the end of an era.
Lionel Messi played his 208th and final match for Argentina on Tuesday, scoring his 126th and last international goal in a 3-0 friendly win against Benin at El Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. The emotional night saw Messi score the penalty in the 71st minute, leading teammates and fans in wild celebrations. Earlier, the 39-year-old scored set-ups for Nicolas Otamendi, his final match, and Nico Paz, a rising star tipped to succeed Messi in the iconic number 10 jersey.
Messi expressed his gratitude, stating that returning to international football would be deeply painful. Widely regarded as the best player of all time, Messi announced his retirement from the national team on August 31, just a month after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Despite the loss, Messi's crowning moment came in 2022 when Argentina won the World Cup, four years after his leadership secured the national title in Qatar.
His international career, marked by highs and lows, began amidst pressure to live up to expectations in Argentina, overshadowed by the legacy of Diego Maradona. Messi, now with MLS side Inter Miami until 2028, leaves behind a legacy of success and gratitude.
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