On October 7, 2024 (CET), Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in an international friendly, marking the farewell match of legendary player Lionel Messi's international career. Following the match, Mundo Deportivo published a special editorial tribute to Messi's international career and expressed hopes for Argentina's future as a national team.

On October 7, 2024 (CET), Messi played his farewell match for the national team in the friendly against Benin.

Mundo Deportivo Editorial

Thank you, thank you, thank you... This word echoed in countless ways, from every direction, in many different voices, and even written across the sky by drone displays. It captures the emotions of Argentines under 30 — those born into football, who love football and grew up with football. It also encompasses the feelings of older Argentines. They once cheered for Maradona, believing they would never witness a player of such magnitude in their lifetime, but ultimately succumbed to Messi's singular magic, acknowledging he surpassed Diego as the greatest of all time. A sight no one wanted to see was unfolding. Lionel Messi was leaving the Argentine national team. This was his farewell match in the Albiceleste.

Before the match, the number 10 jersey was placed on the pitch with "Thank You" printed above the number, replacing the player's name. Everything was contained in that gesture. It was a nation, it was football, and it was the Argentine national team saying goodbye to a genius who would never wear the blue and white again. It was a tribute to his legacy. Current players and all those who have worn this shirt have learned to protect it: always fighting, always believing, always striving, always setting an example, and always like Messi.

The excitement of the present moment and nostalgia for what will never happen again intertwined and collided. They coexisted on this unforgettable day, in the hearts of fans of all ages and in Messi's heart. In Leo's heart — tears fell as he left the Ezeiza training center and arrived at the Monumental Stadium, seeing the crowd come to greet him. In Leo's heart — he motivated his teammates as they took the pitch, trying to make everyone believe it was just an ordinary match: "We have to enjoy the victory, enjoy controlling the ball, enjoy scoring goals. Let's go..."

It was still that Leo, emotional as he hugged his three children before entering the pitch. And the national anthem, the last time he heard it as an Argentine national team player, he did not sing along, avoiding tears streaming down his face and losing composure like Scaloni. Argentina's number 10 occasionally closed his eyes, bit his lip, and his eyes glistened with tears.

Then came the easier part, though the process was far from simple despite its appearance: the match.

Benin played seriously. In the 10th minute, play stopped and the entire stadium applauded Messi. What Messi wanted, and what we all wanted: his goal. He attempted two shots from outside the box, but the goalkeeper saved both. After receiving a superb through ball from Lautaro, his shot narrowly missed the frame. In the second half, this extraordinary player assisted Otamendi (another player also departing the national team) for the opening goal, and then set up Nico Paz — almost certainly the heir to Argentina's number 10 shirt — who scored in Leo's style.

Finally, the roar everyone was waiting for arrived. A roar for Messi, from a penalty kick. This was his 126th goal in 21 years with the Argentine national team, across 208 matches in the Albiceleste. Afterward, he had two more chances to score. He continued seeking one last free-kick opportunity, but his shot in the 93rd minute flew over the bar. Then it was over. Leo, in the national team jersey, had taken his final bow.

A beautiful ending. Because Messi has nothing to regret. Even the excitement and tears have run their course. This was evident in his unprecedented lengthy farewell speech. He said it was the saddest day of his career, but he spoke of it with complete composure. He remembered his father, thanked all his teammates (current and former), declared he would always stand by the national team, conveyed a message of unity, clarified there were no regrets about the World Cup final against Spain, applauded in thanks to the fans and smiled...

This is how a person appears after processing such profound emotions in such a unique moment. He left the pitch embracing his son Thiago. Thank you Leo, thank you for this perfect ending. What comes next will be the hardest part. An Argentine national team without him.

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