Lionel Messi says he is "grateful, proud and at peace" after his glittering Argentina career ended with a goal against Benin on an emotional night in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old, playing his 208th and final international game, converted a second-half penalty and registered two assists in a comfortable 3-0 friendly win.
Messi, who announced his international retirement in August, was playing his first game for Argentina since the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68 following a long illness.
After the match he addressed the crowd with a speech spanning nearly 10 minutes, with some of his team-mates - including Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez - in tears as Messi admitted he did not want to leave the field.
The 39-year-old, playing his 208th and final international game, converted a second-half penalty and registered two assists in a comfortable 3-0 friendly win.
Messi, who announced his international retirement in August, was playing his first game for Argentina since the death of his father, Jorge, aged 68 following a long illness.
After the match he addressed the crowd with a speech spanning nearly 10 minutes, with some of his team-mates - including Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez - in tears as Messi admitted he did not want to leave the field.