Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina ends in triumph and tears

The 39-year-old’s final bow came in front of more than 85,000 fans at a packed ⁠Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. It was less about football and more of a national celebration of Messi’s service to the national team.

Landmarks across the capital glowed with the team’s sky blue and white colours, while fireworks lit up the skies above ⁠the heaving stadium as fans poured their hearts into a rendition of Argentina’s national anthem.

Hours earlier, a huge number 10 shirt emblazoned with “Gracias”, or “Thank You”, was unfurled at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario, Messi’s hometown.

“There are a lot of emotions, a lot of things going through my head. The first thing I think about is ‌my old man,” he added, referring to the recent death of his father.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to wear this shirt all this time, more than 20 years.

“Not coming any more is going to hurt a lot. I swear, I’d love to keep coming my whole life, because playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you.”

As the team bus travelled from the training ⁠centre bearing his name, Messi wiped away tears as thousands lined the route.

When ⁠the teams took the pitch, Benin’s captain looked lost for words as he handed Messi a gift and letter during the pre-match handshake.

After a goalless first half, Messi supplied an assist for Nicolas Otamendi to tap home Argentina’s opener. Otamendi spent 17 years with Messi in ⁠⁠the national team, including four World Cups, and was also ending his international career.

Messi then set up Nico Paz, one of the players seen as a potential successor ⁠for Argentina’s number 10 shirt, to score the second goal.

In a ⁠fairytale ending, Messi converted a penalty for 3-0, his 126th international goal, prompting another round of “Messi, Messi” chants from the crowd.

Messi leaves as the country’s most-capped player (208) and record scorer, having transformed years of frustration on the international stage ‌into ‌a story of World Cup and Copa America triumphs.

For years, Argentina asked Messi to deliver. On Tuesday, it simply came to say “Thank You”.