Argentina 3-0 Benin: What is Lionel Messi's final international goals and assists tally after farewell appearance?

By Ben Sully | 07 Oct 2026 03:07, Last updated: 07 Oct 2026 03:27

Argentina fable Lionel Messi scored a extremity and provided 2 assists successful his last planetary quality successful Tuesday's 3-0 triumph implicit Benin astatine the Estadio Monumental. 

After announcing his planetary retirement successful August, Messi donned the nationalist squad garment 1 last clip successful an affectional evening successful Buenos Aires. 

Messi attempted 4 shots successful the archetypal period, but helium was yet made to hold for his farewell goal.

The last extremity of his planetary vocation yet arrived successful the 70th minute, but not earlier helium provided assists for each of Argentina's archetypal 2 goals.

Messi whipped successful an outswinging country for Nicolas Otamendi to volley home, successful what proved to beryllium the defender's past meaningful publication earlier being withdrawn successful his last planetary appearance. 

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Messi scores successful last planetary appearance

As the contention moved past the hr mark, Messi provided his 2nd assistance to Nico Paz, idiosyncratic who is deemed a contender to instrumentality implicit the fig 10 garment from the Inter Miami star.

Paz produced a Messi-esque decorativeness from the borderline of the box, curling an unstoppable onslaught past the outstretched goalkeeper. 

Messi was soon presented with a aureate accidental to enactment his sanction connected the scoresheet aft Agustin Giay was brought down successful the box.

The 39-year-old delivered the expectant crowd, blasting his punishment into the apical country to marque it 13 goals successful 13 matches against African nations.

Messi threatened to adhd to his tally, forcing the goalkeeper to extremity it onto the station earlier helium fired implicit a free-kick with his past interaction successful planetary football.

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Messi's goals and assists tally for Argentina

As a effect of his punishment conversion, Argentina's grounds goalscorer walks distant from planetary shot with 126 goals successful 208 appearances.

Messi besides wrapped up his Argentina vocation with 20 goals successful 29 matches astatine the iconic Estadio Monumental (W23, D6).

Meanwhile, his contributions to Argentina's archetypal 2 goals brought his tally to 67 assists successful a 21-year planetary career.

The country's all-time grounds quality holder besides signs disconnected with six assists successful his last 5 Argentina appearances, including 2 successful the semi-final triumph implicit England astatine the 2026 World Cup.