More than 85,000 supporters packed the stadium to witness Messi's final appearance in the famous blue and white shirt, bringing the curtain down on a 21-year international career that produced a World Cup title, two Copa América triumphs and countless individual records.
A night dedicated to Messi
The occasion was about far more than the result.
Messi arrived at the Monumental to an extraordinary reception, with thousands of supporters lining the streets and the stadium filled with tributes to Argentina's greatest modern football icon.
The 39-year-old was visibly emotional before kick-off and was seen wiping away tears as the team travelled to the stadium.
Inside the Monumental, fans unfurled tributes to the legendary No. 10, while fireworks and Argentina's colours added to the atmosphere.
Argentina break through after half-time
The first half ended goalless, with Benin managing to frustrate the world champions.
Argentina eventually broke the deadlock after the interval, and Messi played a decisive role.
The captain supplied the assist for Nicolás Otamendi, his long-time international team-mate, to score Argentina's opening goal.
The goal carried additional significance because Otamendi was also bringing his international career to an end after sharing 17 years with Messi in the Argentina squad.
Messi sets up Nico Paz
Argentina continued to control the match and doubled their advantage through Nico Paz.
Once again, Messi was at the centre of the action, providing the assist as Paz found the net to make it 2-0.
Paz is among the young players regarded as part of Argentina's next generation, making Messi's involvement in the goal particularly symbolic on a night when the country's legendary No. 10 was saying goodbye.
Messi completes fairytale farewell
The perfect ending arrived late in the match.
Argentina were awarded a penalty and Messi stepped up to take it, calmly converting to make it 3-0.
The goal was Messi's 126th for Argentina, extending his record as the country's all-time leading scorer.
It was also the final goal of his international career, prompting an enormous celebration inside the Monumental as supporters repeatedly chanted his name.
Argentina 3-0 Benin
• Argentina: Nicolás Otamendi, Nico Paz, Lionel Messi (pen)
• Benin: No goals
Messi leaves with Argentina records intact
Messi finishes his Argentina career as the country's most-capped player with 208 appearances and its record goalscorer with 126 goals.
His international journey began in 2005 and ultimately spanned more than two decades.
During that period, Messi helped Argentina end a long wait for major international silverware, winning the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
He also played a central role in Argentina's run to the 2026 World Cup final.
Tears at the final whistle
The final whistle triggered another emotional scene.
Messi was surrounded by Argentina team-mates, opponents and officials before the celebrations continued with a drone display and a musical tribute from Argentine singer Soledad Pastorutti.
The Argentina captain later reflected on the significance of wearing the national shirt for more than 20 years, acknowledging that leaving the national team would be difficult.
For a player who spent much of his career carrying Argentina's expectations, his final night was instead about gratitude.
A legendary Argentina career comes to an end
Messi leaves the international stage as a World Cup winner, Copa América champion, Argentina's record appearance holder and record goalscorer.
And fittingly, his final night ended exactly as his greatest Argentina moments often did — with his name on the scoresheet, his team winning and the supporters celebrating their captain.
Argentina 3-0 Benin. Messi's final international appearance ends with a goal, two assists, victory and tears.