Buenos Aires: Teammates and supporters offered an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi as the iconic forward officially drew the curtain on his legendary international career with Argentina, ending a 21-year journey in a tearful send-off at the Estadio Monumental.

Following a 3-0 victory against Benin in a friendly match—during which the 39-year-old captain converted a 71st-minute spot-kick and provided two assists—an emotional Messi addressed the packed stands through tears, describing the farewell as the exact conclusion he had envisioned before his home crowd.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr authored a touching message for the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain as the maestro prepared for his final international appearance.

Messi, who had initially confirmed his retirement from the national team on September 1, took to the pitch in international colours for the final time on home soil against Benin on Tuesday.

Writing on his social media platforms, Neymar—who himself retired from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup and shared the pitch with Messi at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain—stated that football enthusiasts worldwide have cherished his play over the years, expressing hope that the legend enjoys his final outing.

“Anyone who loves football has enjoyed you throughout all these years…Today is your final game wearing the shirt of your national team, your country, and I hope you enjoy every second of it and that all the tributes today make you happy," Neymar posted.

The Santos forward noted that as Messi steps aside, the global football community remains grateful for his contributions, adding that the Argentine helped him "love football even more".

"It is not only Argentina that thanks you; the whole world thanks you for everything you’ve done for football. Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honour to have played against you, and even more so to have made history alongside you," he added.

International teammate Rodrigo De Paul expressed similar sentiment on Instagram, writing: “I don’t know if there has ever been a love story between a player and a nation as great as the one you built.”

Speaking in a tribute message released on Tuesday, De Paul added: "He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person. I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father and a better friend."

"I want to tell him that I love him. He knows that he is my brother and that he has an enormous heart," De Paul said.

Former Argentina international Angel Di Maria remarked that it marked a moment no one had wished to witness.

"Seeing him with so much happiness, and that tranquillity of knowing that he gave everything he had, is what makes us all happy," Di Maria noted. "It will be a very special day for everyone. I thank him for life."