Buenos Aires, Argentina: Lionel Messi’s final night in an Argentina shirt was briefly interrupted 10 minutes into the match as play was stopped for a special tribute to the country’s legendary No. 10.

With Argentina facing Benin at the Estadio Monumental on Tuesday, FIFA officials halted the game in the 10th minute as part of a planned farewell for Messi.

The 85,018-capacity stadium rose to its feet as fans applauded the 39-year-old and chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole” echoed around the ground.

The tribute was built around Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt. Argentina’s football association had earlier requested that the 10th minute of matches be used for applause in recognition of Messi’s national-team career after he announced his decision to retire from international football.

But Tuesday’s farewell was different.

Messi himself stood on the pitch as the applause unfolded, surrounded by teammates with whom he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and reached the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina finished runners-up to Spain.

The Argentina captain waved towards the stands as fireworks illuminated the sky above the Monumental. The tribute was not limited to the home team, with Benin players also joining the applause.

Among them was CSKA Sofia defender Tamimou Ouorou, who joined the celebration for the Argentine icon.

The match then resumed, with Messi going on to provide the decisive moments on the field as well.

Argentina scored three times against Benin, with Messi contributing two assists before completing his own farewell with a goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

The penalty was Messi’s record-extending 126th international goal in his 208th appearance for Argentina.

It also ensured that his final appearance for the national team would end with his name on the scoresheet.

Messi had announced his international retirement in August following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. His decision brought an end to a remarkable 21-year international career that began when he made his Argentina debut as a teenager.

During that time, Messi became Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and appearance-maker while guiding the team to Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 World Cup.

His relationship with the national team had not always been straightforward. For years, Messi faced criticism in Argentina over his performances and commitment after repeatedly falling short in major finals. But the Copa América triumph in 2021 and the World Cup victory in Qatar transformed his standing at home.

Tuesday’s farewell reflected that change.

The player who once faced comparisons with Diego Maradona and chants demanding more from him was given a hero’s send-off by a packed Monumental.

Messi leaves the Argentina team after 208 appearances, 126 goals and a collection of major international trophies. His final night added one more goal, two assists and a 3-0 victory over Benin to that legacy.

The result also gave the home crowd the ending it wanted: Messi’s final Argentina appearance finished with a win, while the No. 10 received a farewell that brought the entire stadium together.

Although his international career is over, Messi’s playing career continues at club level with Inter Miami. But for Argentina, the era of seeing the No. 10 walk out in the famous sky-blue and white shirt has come to an end.