I n boxing, some say the classiest way to go out is on your back, staring at the lights. Everyone loves a fairytale ending, but there is a certain closure that comes with bowing out in defeat.

Despite scoring in his final international outing in Buenos Aires, a 3-0 friendly win over Benin , Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career in a similar vein. The final, overriding taste was one of loss.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, 39, announced his retirement from international football following the 2026 World Cup. His designated farewell match was held at the the iconic Estadio Monumental, home of River Plate .

Lionel Messi has retired from international football (Getty Images)

Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Messi goes out having seen his stock rise even further in the summer . He completely outperformed expectation, even for him, at the World Cup to show that he could still run the show while pushing 40.…