‘The Last Tango’: Messi scores in emotional Argentina farewell, 85,000 fans say goodbye to their No. 10

Lionel Messi concluded his distinguished 21-year international career in an emotional farewell match in Buenos Aires, marking his 208th appearance for Argentina with a goal and an assist during a 3-0 victory over Benin.

The 39-year-old football icon, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest in the sport, received profound adulation from the crowd, capping a career highlighted by leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and securing Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

Before the match, Messi was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires, expressing pride while reflecting on his legacy and signaling a potential early retirement from club football.

Numerous global tributes, including one from Neymar, celebrated Messi's contributions to football as he bids farewell to the international arena.

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 7 — Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career yesterday, bidding farewell to adoring Argentina fans in an emotional final appearance for the former world champions in Buenos Aires.

In a perfectly scripted finale, the 39-year-old widely regarded as the greatest football player in history signed off with his 126th international goal in front of 85,000 supporters as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Benin.

Messi, playing in his record-extending 208th international, also provided the assist for the opening goal scored by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, with Nico Paz also scoring.

But the match was a footnote to the occasion itself, which saw Messi savoring the adulation of the Monumental Stadium crowd one last time for an event which had been billed as ‘The Last Tango’.

Beforehand, Messi wiped away tears as the bus carrying him and his Argentina team-mates made its way through crowds of wellwishers en route to the stadium.

Messi took the field alongside his three children and received affectionate waves from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, who were watching from a VIP box.

Shortly before kick off, a giant Argentina jersey bearing the word “Gracias” (Thank You) above the football superstar’s No.10 was laid out on the pitch as the crowd roared their approval.

Messi welled up again as Falklands War veteran Fabio Santana sang the national anthem beside a banner which read — “The Malvinas are Argentine” — the same banner held aloft by players after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England.

The match was halted in the 10th minute — in tribute to Messi’s famous shirt number — for a minute-long ovation to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star.

He crowned the occasion with a goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

At the final whistle a drone show lit up the night sky above the stadium, showing Messi’s image and thanking the eight-time Ballon D’Or-winner for his career.

Messi’s farewell came two and a half months after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey, where Messi exited in tears after making little impression in an ill-tempered 1-0 loss.

“I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance,” Messi wrote at the time.

Before yesterday’s game, the University of Buenos Aires awarded Messi an honorary doctorate in a ceremony at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters.

Messi, who has in the past spoken of his regret at not studying more, expressed pride at the distinction.

“To be able to say that I am an honorary doctor!,” he joked.

Outside the Argentina Football Association headquarters, fans unfurled a huge Argentine flag with his image inscribed “The joy of my life.”

Former Barcelona team-mate Neymar paid tribute to the departing champion on X.

“It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for football. Thank you for making me love football even more,” he said.

Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated.

Messi’s departure comes four years after his greatest triumph in international football, leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup to end the country’s 36-year wait for a third title, cementing his status as Diego Maradona’s heir.

“I believe Messi gave everything, absolutely everything, so it doesn’t bother me at all that he’s leaving. He has more than earned it, let him enjoy himself, let him rest,” Cecilia Adriano, 52, told AFP.

During his time with the Albiceleste, Argentina won one World Cup, were runners-up twice (Brazil 2014 and North America 2026) and were also crowned Copa America champions in 2021 and 2024. — AFP

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莱昂内尔·梅西在布宜诺斯艾利斯的一场充满情感的告别赛中结束了他辉煌的 21 年国际职业生涯，这是他代表阿根廷出战的第 208 场比赛，他在阿根廷 3-0 战胜贝宁的比赛中贡献了一粒进球和一次助攻。

这位 39 岁的足球偶像被广泛认为是这项运动中最伟大的球员之一，他受到了观众的热烈欢迎，为他辉煌的职业生涯画上了圆满的句号。他曾带领阿根廷队在 2022 年赢得世界杯冠军，并在 2021 年和 2024 年获得美洲杯冠军。

赛前，梅西被布宜诺斯艾利斯大学授予荣誉博士学位，他在回顾自己的成就时表达了自豪之情，同时也暗示着他可能提前从俱乐部足球界退役。

包括内马尔在内的全球各界人士纷纷致敬梅西，赞扬他对足球的贡献，并向他告别国际赛场。

布宜诺斯艾利斯，10 月 7 日——昨天，莱昂内尔·梅西结束了他长达 21 年的国际职业生涯，在布宜诺斯艾利斯为前世界冠军阿根廷队进行了一场激动人心的告别演出，向热爱他的阿根廷球迷告别。

在一场完美编排的比赛结尾中，这位被广泛认为是历史上最伟大的足球运动员的39岁球员，在85000名球迷面前打入了他的第126个国际比赛进球，帮助阿根廷队以3-0轻松战胜贝宁队。

梅西代表国家队出战第 208 场，刷新了国家队出场纪录，他还助攻老将尼古拉斯·奥塔门迪打入首球，尼科·帕斯也取得了进球。

但这场比赛只是这场盛事的一个小插曲，梅西最后一次在纪念碑球场享受着球迷们的欢呼，这场盛事被誉为“最后的探戈”。

此前，当载着梅西和他的阿根廷队友的大巴穿过前往体育场的人群时，梅西不禁拭去眼泪。

梅西与他的三个孩子一起出现在球场上，他的妻子安东内拉·罗库佐和母亲塞莉娅·库奇蒂尼在贵宾包厢里观看比赛，并向他们热情地挥手致意。

比赛开始前不久，一件巨大的阿根廷球衣被铺在球场上，球衣上印着“Gracias”（谢谢），球衣号码是这位足球巨星的 10 号，人群发出震耳欲聋的欢呼声。

当福克兰群岛战争老兵法比奥·桑塔纳在一面写着“马尔维纳斯群岛是阿根廷的”的横幅旁演唱国歌时，梅西再次热泪盈眶——这面横幅正是阿根廷球员在世界杯半决赛2-1战胜英格兰后高举的那面。

比赛进行到第 10 分钟时暂停——为了向梅西著名的球衣号码致敬——全场观众为这位前巴塞罗那和巴黎圣日耳曼球星鼓掌一分钟。

他在第 71 分钟通过点球破门，为这场比赛画上了圆满的句号。

终场哨响后，无人机照亮了体育场上空的夜空，展示了梅西的形象，并感谢这位八届金球奖得主的职业生涯。

梅西的告别发生在阿根廷在新泽西州举行的世界杯决赛中负于西班牙两个半月之后。在那场比赛中，梅西表现平平，阿根廷以 0-1 输掉了比赛，赛后他含泪离场。

“我已经竭尽全力了；我已经没有什么可以再奉献的了，而且，还有很多优秀的年轻球员正在崛起，他们应该得到机会，”梅西当时写道。

在昨天的比赛之前，布宜诺斯艾利斯大学在阿根廷足球协会（AFA）总部举行仪式，授予梅西荣誉博士学位。

梅西过去曾表示后悔没有多花时间学习，他对获得这项荣誉感到自豪。

“能说自己是荣誉博士，真是太棒了！”他开玩笑说。

在阿根廷足球协会总部外，球迷们展开了一面巨大的阿根廷国旗，上面印着他的照片，并写着“我生命中的快乐”。

前巴塞罗那队友内马尔在X上向即将离队的冠军致敬。

“不仅阿根廷感谢你，全世界都感谢你为足球所做的一切。谢谢你让我更加热爱足球，”他说。

梅西与迈阿密国际队的合同到 2028 年才到期，不过在两个月前他的父亲豪尔赫去世后，他透露自己可能会比预期更早地彻底退役。

梅西的离开距离他在国际足球领域取得最大成就已经过去了四年，他带领阿根廷队在 2022 年世界杯上夺冠，结束了该国 36 年的冠军荒，巩固了他作为迭戈·马拉多纳接班人的地位。

“我相信梅西已经竭尽全力，绝对竭尽全力，所以他离开我一点也不觉得遗憾。他完全配得上这份荣誉，让他好好享受，好好休息吧。”52岁的塞西莉亚·阿德里亚诺告诉法新社。

在他执教阿根廷国家队期间，阿根廷队赢得了一次世界杯冠军，两次获得亚军（2014年巴西世界杯和2026年北美杯），并在2021年和2024年两次夺得美洲杯冠军。——法新社

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