Lionel Messi Retires from Argentina Duty After Benin Win
Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career after captaining the world champions in a 3-0 win over Benin, leaving Inter Miami ready to lean fully on their 39-year-old forward for the run-in.
A final Argentina appearance brings an era to a close
Messi received an emotional goodbye in his homeland as he led Argentina for the last time. The victory over Benin closed a historic spell in the blue-and-white shirt, with the captain now returning to the United States for club duty.
Inter Miami head coach Gonzalez said the occasion belonged entirely to Messi and that the forward deserved the scale of the farewell.
“It was a hugely intense moment,” Gonzalez said. “I was close to him, but it was his moment. The important thing was that he enjoyed it and took in the affection from Argentina and from around the world.”
- Messi captained Argentina in a 3-0 victory against Benin.
- The match marked his final appearance for the national team.
- He returns to Miami to concentrate exclusively on Inter Miami’s domestic campaign.
- Miami resume after the international break against D.C. United at Nu Stadium.
Miami inherit Messi’s full focus
Gonzalez believes Argentina will feel the loss of a player whose identity was closely tied to representing his country. He said Messi will miss the jersey and the legacy he built with it, but urged Miami to make the most of having him available at club level.
“Argentina will miss him in that shirt,” Gonzalez said. “But he is with us now and we have to value every moment. He belongs to Miami now, and I want to enjoy that.”
The coach also pointed to Messi’s daily standards as a major influence inside the squad. Despite his age, the forward continues to seek fresh targets and expects total commitment from players and staff.
Competitive edge remains central to Messi’s impact
Gonzalez described Messi as a natural competitor whose demands are clear in every training session. He said the Argentine pushes those around him to improve, while his arrival has already changed the club’s culture.
“He expects everyone to give everything every day,” Gonzalez said. “He is always looking for another challenge. That helps the players, the staff and the whole club. He makes people better, and you can see that he is enjoying himself.”
| Inter Miami snapshot | Figure |
|---|---|
| Eastern Conference position | Third |
| Points | 46 |
| Matches played | 27 |
| Regular-season winless run | Five matches |
What happens next
Miami return from the break carrying mixed momentum. They recently beat Cruz Azul to win the Campeones Cup, but have not won in five regular-season matches.
- Messi is now available solely for Inter Miami commitments after retiring from Argentina duty.
- Miami are third in the Eastern Conference on 46 points from 27 games.
- The immediate test is D.C. United at Nu Stadium.
- Ending the league winless sequence is the priority despite the recent cup success.
