Lionel Messi ended his international career Tuesday night with a goal and two assists as Argentina won 3-0 against Benin in a farewell match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

The 39-year-old captain scored 208th career goal for Argentina in a memorable display in front of more than 85,000 fans, concluding a 21-year international career highlighted by a World Cup and two Copa América titles.

Messi was directly involved in all three goals, setting up Nicolás Otamendi for the first goal shortly after halftime, before assisting Nico Paz for the second in the 61st minute. He then capped a landmark international match by scoring the third in the 71st minute, converting a penalty kick for his 126th goal for Argentina and extending his record as the country’s all-time leading scorer.

The match, which was supposed to be Messi’s farewell to the international stage, was approved by the Argentine Football Association as his final appearance for Argentina in front of his home fans.

His No. 10 jersey was retired during the match, with the game paused for a long ovation from the fans in the 10th minute, as a massive “Gracias” sign was unfurled on the field. Messi was overcome with emotion before and after the game as fans chanted their gratitude toward the player who led Argentina from a dismal period to two international championships.

After the final whistle, Messi spoke briefly to the fans, saying he had given his “absolute all” for Argentina and that it was a “huge pride” to score for his country, as reported by Reuters.

In four years as captain, Messi has won the 2021 Copa América title, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup, along with the 2024 Copa América. He also guided Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they lost to Spain.

Messi’s farewell match coincided with Argentina’s celebration of the most successful era in the country’s football history, which he helped write. Messi’s World Cup victory in Qatar ended a 36-year championship drought for Argentine football, while the Copa América triumphs ended a long wait for continental glory.

The Argentine Football Association noted in a press release earlier this year that Messi was their national team’s icon and that they were “inviting Lionel to a well-deserved farewell in Buenos Aires.” Messi departs as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He is under contract with Inter Miami, where he is set to play until 2028.