{"id":14222,"date":"2026-10-07T10:47:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/?p=14222"},"modified":"2026-10-07T10:47:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:47:59","slug":"messi-scores-and-assists-twice-in-emotional-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/messi-scores-and-assists-twice-in-emotional-farewell\/","title":{"rendered":"Messi Scores and Assists Twice in Emotional Farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Argentina 3-0 Benin<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Lionel Messi brought his extraordinary Argentina career to a fitting conclusion by scoring once and assisting twice in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 39-year-old directly contributed to every goal on an emotional Tuesday night, setting up Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting a second-half penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Argentina\u2019s victory completed another convincing international performance, the result was secondary to the significance of the occasion. After 21 years, 208 senior appearances and a record 126 goals, Messi was wearing Argentina\u2019s famous No.10 shirt for the final time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 85,000 supporters filled the Monumental to witness what had been promoted as \u201cThe Last Tango.\u201d Former members of Argentina\u2019s World Cup-winning teams were also present as the country said goodbye to its most decorated footballer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Scenes Before Messi\u2019s Final Match<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Messi\u2019s emotions were visible before the first whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accompanied by his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, the Argentina captain struggled to hold back tears during the national anthem. Head coach Lionel Scaloni was also visibly moved as the entire stadium sang together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Argentine Football Association organised an extensive celebration featuring live music, fireworks, lights and a drone display. Supporters held banners thanking their captain, while one of the messages inside the stadium described Messi as Argentina\u2019s \u201cEternal Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi had already acknowledged that the moment to leave had arrived. During his final address, he thanked the supporters who had followed him through the victories, defeats and difficult periods of his international career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo me queda m\u00e1s que agradecer,\u201d Messi said, explaining that even during the worst moments, he never stopped fighting or giving his maximum for Argentina.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Benin Frustrate Argentina in the First Half<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Benin, coached by former Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr, approached the friendly determined to compete rather than simply participate in Messi\u2019s farewell celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The West African side remained organised throughout the first half, keeping their defensive lines compact and limiting the space available to Messi and Argentina\u2019s attacking players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Argentina controlled possession and moved the ball patiently, but they could not find a breakthrough before half-time. Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou and his defence dealt with Argentina\u2019s early pressure as both teams entered the interval with the score still 0-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the hosts increased the tempo after the restart\u2014and Messi soon began to take control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi Sets Up Otamendi\u2019s Opening Goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Argentina finally broke Benin\u2019s resistance in the 48th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi delivered a dangerous corner into the penalty area, and veteran defender Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi converted to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was an appropriate combination on such a historic evening. Otamendi and Messi shared many of Argentina\u2019s biggest international moments, including the 2021 Copa Am\u00e9rica triumph and the country\u2019s unforgettable 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otamendi later described scoring his final international goal from a Messi assist as a memory he would carry for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal released the pressure on Argentina and forced Benin to leave more space as they attempted to find an equaliser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nico Paz Doubles Argentina\u2019s Advantage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Argentina\u2019s second goal arrived in the 61st minute, with Messi once again providing the final pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The captain found Nico Paz in a dangerous position, and the young midfielder finished the move to make it 2-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal carried important symbolism for Argentina. Messi, the player who had represented the national team for more than two decades, was creating an opportunity for one of the country\u2019s emerging stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a glimpse of the transition Argentina must now complete. Messi\u2019s departure leaves an enormous creative and emotional void, but players such as Paz will be expected to help lead the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Messi Scores the Final Goal of His Argentina Career<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There was still one moment missing from Messi\u2019s farewell\u2014the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Argentina were awarded a penalty during the second half, Messi stepped forward. With thousands of supporters holding their phones in the air, the captain calmly converted from the spot to complete the 3-0 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was his 126th and final goal for Argentina, providing a storybook conclusion to one of the greatest international careers in football history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi finished the match with one goal and two assists, directly contributing to all three of Argentina\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the final whistle, his teammates gathered around him as the supporters continued singing his name. Messi completed a final lap of the stadium, raising his arms towards the crowd before leaving the international stage for the last time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Argentina vs Benin Match Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Final score:<\/strong> Argentina 3-0 Benin
Competition:<\/strong> International friendly
Venue:<\/strong> Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
Argentina scorers:<\/strong> Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi, Nico Paz and Lionel Messi
Messi\u2019s contribution:<\/strong> One goal and two assists
Head coaches:<\/strong> Lionel Scaloni and Gernot Rohr
Player of the Match:<\/strong> Lionel Messi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AFA confirmed that Otamendi opened the scoring, Paz added Argentina\u2019s second and Messi completed the victory with the third goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neymar, Ronaldinho and Football World Honour Messi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tributes arrived from across the football world before and after Messi\u2019s final international appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Barcelona teammate Ronaldinho praised Messi for bringing joy to football, while Neymar thanked the Argentine for helping him love the sport even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

River Plate presented Messi with honorary membership, a commemorative plaque and a personalised shirt before the match. The gesture demonstrated how Messi\u2019s impact had moved beyond traditional club rivalries in Argentina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of Buenos Aires also awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his sporting career, perseverance, humility and conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, emotional footage recorded by supporters showed Messi reflecting quietly on the team bus, offering another reminder of how difficult the farewell was for the legendary captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messi\u2019s Unmatched Argentina Legacy<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Messi made his senior Argentina debut against Hungary in August 2005. What followed was a 21-year journey that included record-breaking individual numbers, painful final defeats and, eventually, the trophies that transformed his relationship with the national team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His senior international honours include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n