Sports News

Messi's last Argentina game: a goal, two assists and 3-0, from Buenos Aires to Kerala

Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career on Tuesday, October 6, scoring once and setting up two goals in Argentina's 3-0 friendly win over Benin. Al Jazeera said more than 85,000 fans packed the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi, 39, assisted Nicolás Otamendi, who was also retiring, and Nico Paz, then scored a penalty for his 126th international goal. He leaves as Argentina's most-capped player, with 208 appearances.

“It's hard to talk.” — Lionel Messi, via Al Jazeera

Messi said his first thought was of his father, who died recently. Before the game, The Korea Herald, carrying an AP report, spoke to young fans in Buenos Aires; one, aged 17, said it felt like “an era is ending”.

A second Al Jazeera piece followed fans in India, where a Kerala superfan travelled 15,000km, without a ticket, to see the game. The Guardian took a different line, arguing that Argentina had gone from darlings in 2022 to villains by the time they lost this year's World Cup final to Spain, and asking what Messi's silence meant.

How each outlet framed it

• Al Jazeera — a national celebration: lights, fireworks, tears on the team bus, and global fandom.
• The Korea Herald (AP) — Argentina bracing for life without him.
• The Guardian — an essay on a legacy that is more complicated than the scoreline.

What happened next: Al Jazeera reported that Messi was back with Inter Miami days later, and that Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute after the farewell.