BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi bid farewell to international football on Tuesday with an emotional final appearance for Argentina in its 3-0 friendly win over Benin.
Messi scored a late penalty, his 126th international goal, and provided assists for second-half goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz.
But the result was secondary at the Monumental Stadium, where more than 80,000 fans turned out to say goodbye to the player who helped Argentina win a World Cup and two Copa America titles.
The tone was set early as Messi walked onto the pitch for his 208th and final Argentina appearance, flanked by his three children, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and mother, Celia Cuccittini, watched from the stands.
The match was stopped in the 10th minute for a standing ovation for Argentina's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.
In the second half, Messi repeatedly looked around the stadium as chants of "Messi, don't leave, we're not ready to say goodbye" rang out around the ground.
After the game, a drone show lit up the Buenos Aires sky with images of the 39-year-old and messages of gratitude for his 21-year international career.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and midfielder Enzo Fernandez wept as Messi delivered an emotional post-match speech.
"The truth is I don't want to leave," Messi said. "I just want to tell you that I love you, I'm going to miss you and I am grateful. I'm proud to have fulfilled the dream with all of you."
Messi announced his retirement plans in August following the death of his father, Jorge, and just weeks after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.
"In the last World Cup, we were very ... very close," he said during the 10-minute address. "We gave everything. The [semifinal] match against England was a very big physical drain for us and the reality is that we barely made it [to the final]. We fought for it like we always did ... but unfortunately we couldn't be champions. But have no doubt that all the teammates I had by my side always gave everything for this jersey."
Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami, where his contract runs through December 2028.
He vowed to continue supporting Argentina "from the other side" and urged fans to unite behind a new era for the national team.
"I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance," he added. ■
