Lionel Messi 'at peace and proud' after Argentina farewell on 'saddest day of my career'

Lionel Messi says retiring from international football with Argentina is "the saddest day of my career", but the forward bows out with no regrets.

Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in front of a packed Estadio Monumental crowd on Tuesday in Messi's 208th and final senior international appearance.

Messi marked the occasion with a couple of assists – for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz – plus a goal of his own from the penalty spot.

The Inter Miami ace, who will continue playing at club level, announced his plans to retire in August after an Argentina career spanning 21 years.

He addressed the crowd in Buenos Aires after the match, which was also his first for his country since the death of his father Jorge.

"It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years," Messi said. 

"Even in the worst moments we went through, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here. Not coming any more is going to be painful. 

"I'd like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.

"Now I'm here on the saddest day of my career, which is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, goodbye to all of you.

"But now I’ll be on that side [with the fans], supporting all the boys, everyone who comes in. Always united."

Messi showed no signs of slowing down as he led the way against Benin for the most shots (nine), shots on target (nine) and expected goals (1.97).

He also had the most touches in the opposition box (12), created the most chances (four) and registered the most final-third passes (41).

After a slow start to his Argentina career, Messi won two Copa America titles and the World Cup in 2022, while also losing in the showpiece final twice – including defeat to Spain after extra time three months ago.

"I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything," added Messi, who scored 126 goals in the famous blue and white strip.

"Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment. The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through.

"We had the dream of fulfilling my dream and the dream of the whole country, of becoming world champions again. 

"In the last World Cup we were very close, and the reality is that nothing strange happened, as people say. 

"The match against England took a huge toll on us physically, and emotionally it was very big.

"We arrived with just enough and fought like we always did with this jersey, with all the team-mates I got to share things with. We were very close.

"There are so many emotions going through me right now. I'm surely forgetting many things I would like to say because this is a very difficult moment for me. The first person who comes to my mind is my dad."

Benin threatened to ruin the party on Messi's big night in front of 85,000 buoyant supporters, with Argentina struggling to get going in the first half.

Otamendi's goal inside three minutes of the second half settled the hosts, though, before further goals followed from Paz and man of the moment Messi.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni later admitted his players struggled with nerves on a rather unique occasion.

"Everything was very emotional in the first half," Scaloni said. 

"The players did not know what play to make and they were nervous, because it was a special night. It was not easy when they had a team-mate [Messi] who wants to leave in the best way.

"For them, it is unparalleled and that is why the first half was not good, because we all wanted him to do his best.

"I never thought I'd be the coach of the best footballer in history and it has been a dream come true. We are eternally grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to be with him.

"Not seeing him any more will be sad, but he leaves us with an incredible legacy.

"The feeling of having Messi on your side is incomparable. I've never seen that aura in anyone else in my life."

Some of Messi's team-mates were in tears as Messi addressed the fans in his speech after the match, saying he did not want to leave the pitch.

Along with the match, to mark the huge occasion, fans were treated to a light show, live music and presentations.