Messi calls his international retirement the “saddest day” of his career

Lionel Messi said his retirement from the Argentina national team will be “the saddest day of my career,” speaking to a packed crowd at the Monumental Stadium after the side’s 3‑0 victory over Benin. The Argentine legend, who announced his exit from international football earlier this week, stepped onto the pitch following the win to thank supporters and teammates, according to The Guardian.

Messi opened the scoring and added two assists as Argentina comfortably secured the friendly win. The performance capped a 21‑year international career that includes World Cup triumphs, Copa América titles and countless individual accolades. In his brief speech, he praised the dedication of the fans and the camaraderie of his fellow players, highlighting the privilege of representing his country for more than two decades.

Looking ahead, Messi admitted that “not coming any more is going to be deeply painful,” but expressed optimism that the next generation will continue to build on Argentina’s legacy. Readers can find match highlights on this site.