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Lionel Messi reflects on his Argentina career after 20 years

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 7, 2026, 9:00 AM

Last updated Oct 7, 2026

Lionel Messi reflects on his Argentina career after 20 years

Summary

Lionel Messi concluded his international career with Argentina after two decades, during which he made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals. In a farewell match against Benin, he scored once and assisted twice in a 3-0 victory in Buenos Aires. Messi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and acknowledging the contributions of past teammates. Head coach Lionel Scaloni stated that replacing Messi's unique impact on the team will be a significant challenge.

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By the Numbers

•Messi played his final game for Argentina on October 6, 2026.
•He scored once and assisted twice in a 3-0 win against Benin.
•Messi finishes with a record 208 appearances for the national team.
•Scaloni acknowledges the difficulty in replacing Messi's skill and influence.
•Messi thanked his teammates for their support throughout his career.

Latest Updates

9:00 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi: 'I gave it all for Argentina' as he reflects on 20 years with the national team

What they're saying

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Lionel Messi has said he has "nothing left to do but thank" the Argentina shirt, reflecting on two decades with the national team and insisting he gave everything he had for his country.Messi brought ...
— Yahoo Sports

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