It was a grand occasion befitting maybe the greatest No. 10 to don the blue and white of Argentina. It was an emotional moment the other man to challenge that claim, Diego Maradona, never received.
The end of Lionel Messi‘s career for La Albiceleste arrived before a sellout crowd at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on a night where everything was done to honor the man who led Argentina to three World Cup Finals – including this past summer’s – and ended a 36-year drought on the globe’s biggest stage.
Fans who hoped he could provide one final moment of brilliance weren’t left disappointed as Messi provided the assist on Argentina’s opening two goals of their match against Benin. Then, he struck the net on his own to put a final punctuation mark on his time in sky blue and white.
Long before the match began, tears rolled down the face of the beautiful game’s Lilliputian giant, on the bus and on the pitch before the national anthem as his three sons joined him.
A large tifo of an Argentina shirt with the words ‘Gracias 10′ in gold was displayed on the pitch. It was a color scheme reflected on the shirts of the Argentina players, with gold names and numbers. Instead of Adidas’ iconic three stripe logo, Messi’s stylized ‘M’ logo replaced it.
At the tenth minute, the game against Benin was stopped for a moment of applause while fireworks were shot off into the night sky. Opposition players joined in the occasion, clapping along with over 80,000 Argentines.
Lionel Messi has played his final match for Argentina in an emotional affair in Buenos Aires
Tears rolled down the face of the World Cup winner as he heard the national anthem
A tailor made match against Benin honored the man who did so much for Argentines
No one else in white and blue dared to try and steal this moment for themselves. Perhaps in a country where machismo is so central to its culture, that in and of itself is a testament to what Messi signifies.
Other players paid tribute in their own ways. Goalkeeper Enzo ‘Dibu’ Martinez, known for his eccentric hair styles, carved Messi’s ‘M’ logo into the back of his head for the occasion.
For all his magical moments, the revelers at the Monumental hoped to see just one more, one last moment to deservedly sing Messi’s name to the heavens.
The first half produced three near-chances within a span of just a few minutes time. A teasing pass from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo de Paul met Messi’s sliding boot, but just trickled left of the keeper’s right post. A trademark Messi free kick was tipped wide just two minutes later.
In the 32nd minute, he missed another beautiful chance generated with a pass from Lautaro Martinez that just snuck wide.
At halftime, the crowd was left perhaps disappointed by the lack of a goal, yet eager to see what lay in store for the final 45 minutes of Messi’s national team career.
But that wasn’t before musician Gaspar Benegas serenaded the crowd with his acoustic guitar, accompanied by a cellist – an instrumental duo befitting an occasion branded as ‘El Ultimo Tango.’
Fireworks were launched into the night sky above the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires
Messi was lauded by throngs of supporters as he warmed up before his final fixture
At the national anthem, Messi’s sons – Thiago, Mateo and Ciro – joined their father
Messi’s first chance at goal just rolled wide off his lunging boot only 24 minutes in
Messi was lifted up by Nicolas Otamendi, who is also retiring, after creating the opening goal
It didn’t take long. Just four minutes past the opening kickoff, Messi whipped in an Argentina corner for an unmarked Nicolas Otamendi, who also played his final match for La Albiceleste.
Otamendi raced over to Messi, lifting him up in celebration as the crowd sang their hearts out.
Moments later, Otamendi received his moment in the sun. He applauded the Monumental, hugged Messi one final time and then trotted off the pitch to be replaced by Lisandro Martinez.
Another Messi free kick was parried away in the 60th minute by keeper Marcel Dandjinou, despite the well struck chance from the No. 10.
While the occasion was built to honor the past, Argentina’s future got a chance to shine. Messi fed another ball to Como maestro Nico Paz, who curled a sublime left-footed shot past the keeper to double the lead.
After providing moments for others, the passionate thousands wondered and begged for Messi to make one of his own.
It arrived in the 69th minute, when a penalty was given after Agustin Giay was fouled inside the box and referee Fernando Véjar pointed to the spot.
His whistle blew, Messi drew a breath and then a pause. Up he strode and then sublimely struck the ball into the top right corner to crown the evening with the moment millions in in Argentina and across the world waited for.
Messi’s teammates mobbed him, forming a circle and jumping around him. In the stands his sons sang with the revelers as his mother, Celia, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, smiled and clapped.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
