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And just like that, it's over. Lionel Messi bows out with 208 caps to his name. The 39-year-old brought the curtain down on his 21-year international career with a comfortable 3–0 friendly victory against Benin on Tuesday.
A crowd of 85,000 filled the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to witness a historic occasion, as Messi converted a penalty for his 126th goal in an Argentina shirt in his farewell appearance. In reality, the match itself was little more than a backdrop for honoring and celebrating the departing legend.
"Today is probably the saddest day of my career, because this is where I say farewell to the national team and to every one of you," Messi told the crowd in an emotional, tear-filled speech.
"I don't want to go, I don't want to leave this pitch. I just want you to know that I love you, I'll miss you, and I'm thankful to God that we are Argentine—proud to be Argentine and to have lived out my dreams alongside all of you.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart; I love you."
So, with the international chapter now closed for one of the greatest players the game has ever seen ... what comes next?
What Next for Messi?
Inter Miami
Although he has stepped away from international duty with Argentina, Messi has not hung up his boots entirely and will continue to feature for his club side Inter Miami in MLS for the foreseeable future.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient is contracted through to the end of the 2028 season, at which point he will be 41 years of age.
That said, his deal is assessed on a year-by-year basis, meaning he could depart sooner or even opt to extend his MLS stint if he chooses. As part of the agreement, Messi will retain shares in the club upon his eventual retirement.
At present, Messi's Miami side sit third in the Eastern Conference and are well-placed to secure a playoff berth this season, with their sights set on defending the MLS Cup they claimed in 2025.
Club Ownership
❤️💙💻 Lionel Messi, on his laptop to follow his new club CD Eldense against Real Oviedo.
Messi bought the club on Thursday owining 100% of the Segunda División side from Spain.
Eldense won 4-1 tonight. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/qlPF4G3gZc
Messi's involvement in soccer will continue well beyond his playing days, as he already holds ownership stakes in two clubs competing in Spain's lower divisions: UE Cornellà and CD Eldense.
The striker acquired a controlling interest in both clubs this year and may ultimately build a global network of football teams.
Messi is known to keep a close eye on second-tier side Eldense via his laptop and has moved to steer them clear of relegation this season by bringing in former Villarreal manager Javi Calleja. The ultimate ambition is to guide the Valencian club into La Liga.
Across the border in Uruguay, Messi joined the venture of close friend and former teammate Luis Suárez in 2025, becoming a co-owner of Deportivo LSM. The club earned promotion to the country's third division in their debut season.
Future Role With Argentina
"I have no plans to go into management when I retire. It's simply not something I'm thinking about," Messi stated back in 2024.
And yet, his name already features prominently among the frontrunners to eventually replace Lionel Scaloni as Argentina's head coach—a conversation that will likely never go away.
A comparable trajectory played out for fellow Argentina icon Diego Maradona, who ultimately took charge of the national team between 2008 and 2010.
Maradona's tenure at the helm of Argentina was far from distinguished, and his contract was not extended following a heavy 4–0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.
While some form of involvement in Argentine football isn't entirely out of the question down the line, for now Messi has pledged to be an unwavering supporter from the stands.
He told the crowd at the Monumental on Tuesday: "I'll miss wearing the national team's colors, but now I'll be on the other side—right there among you—cheering these lads on and supporting whatever lies ahead."