Lionel Messi bows out with goal, two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0

Lionel Messi ended his Argentina international career in style, scoring once and providing two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. According to PUNCH Newspapers, Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi for Argentina’s opening goal in the 48th minute before assisting Nico Paz for the second 13 minutes later.

The Inter Miami forward then converted a 71st-minute penalty to complete the victory at the Monumental Stadium. The match marked the end of Messi’s 21-year international career, with the 39-year-old finishing as Argentina’s most-capped player with 208 appearances and record goalscorer with 126 goals.

Former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr was in charge of Benin for Messi’s farewell. “It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt,” Messi said after the game.