Lionel Messi:Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi has now officially retired. He played his final match for Argentina against Benin on October 6, 2026.
Argentina won this friendly which also served as Messi's farewell match 3-0 in Buenos Aires. Notably, the final goal of the match came from Messi himself; he scored his first and Argentina's third goal in the 71st minute of the game.
However, more significant than the match or the result was the send-off Messi received. Witnessing the farewell accorded to him, even French football star Zinedine Zidane remarked that Messi is the only player in world football deserving of such a send-off.
Benin team honors him with a memento
No effort was spared to make Messi's final match spectacular and memorable. His wife and family members were also present at the stadium to witness this special occasion.
Before the match began, the Benin team honored Messi by presenting him with a memento. However, what truly captivated the audience was the sight of his jersey waving in the open sky.
Messi's Jersey Flown by Helicopter
In Buenos Aires, ahead of the match against Benin, Messi's number 10 jersey was flown through the air by a helicopter. This spectacle, honoring Messi, captivated everyone.
Fireworks set off after halting play in the 10th minute
However, the series of events making the farewell memorable didn't stop there. What happened next in the 10th minute of the match thrilled everyone even more. In honor of Messi, who wears the number 10 jersey, the match between Argentina and Benin was paused for one minute at the 10-minute mark, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.
For me, Messi is the god of football – Zidane
In the words of French football star Zinedine Zidane, there is no one else in the world of football right now who deserves a farewell like Messi's. Everyone in the world loves Messi. He doesn't just play football; he thinks the game. Zidane concluded by saying that, for him, Messi is the god of football.
