Argentina boss Scaloni salutes 'inimitable' Messi after maestro's final game

“He is an inimitable footballer and I don't think there will ever be anyone like him on the pitch after him," Scaloni said following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Beninin Messi's farewell match.

“I've never seen anything like it in anyone in my entire life," Scaloni added. "The aura he exudes – I've never seen it in anyone else. Without him ... the team will look for tools, other things, but that feeling won't be there anymore.”

In his final appearance, more than 80,000 spectators at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires watched him score one goal and set up the other two to finish with 126 goals and a record 66 assists in the 207 appearances since his debut against Hungary on 17 August 2005. 

"It was a huge source of pride for me to defend the Argentina jersey for more than 20 years," Messi told fans in the stadium after the game.

"Even in the worst moments we went through and that I had, I never stopped fighting, never stopped being here. 

"Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I'd like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."

Messi started his international career in the shadow of Argentina legend Diego Maradona whose cunning and wizardry inspired Argentina to the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico.

He failed to emulate Maradona's exploits during the four World Cup campaigns following his debut.

Messi steps out of Maradona's shadow

But in Qatar in 2022 at the age of 35, he scored seven goals in seven matches - including two in the final against France - and earned a record five man-of-the-match awards.

After the penalty shoot-out victory over France, Argentina played their first game as world champions at the Monumental Stadium.

Messi notches up World Cup goals record to take Argentina into knockout stages

"Now I'm here at the stadium on the saddest day of my career, which is the day I have to say goodbye to the national team, goodbye to all of you," Messi said.

"But now I'll be on the side with the fans supporting all the boys, everyone who comes in. Always united."

Reasons for international retirement

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on 19 July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to prevent Argentina from becoming the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to defend a World Cup title. 

Messi, who announced his international retirement last month, said the emotional and physical rigours of the surge to the showdown had taken their toll.

"Even though I want to be here all my life, I feel that this is the moment," he said. "The last World Cup was too much, everything I had to live through," said Messi.

"We had the dream of fulfilling my dream and the dream of the whole country, of becoming world champions again."

Under Scaloni, Messi also won the Copa America  in 2021 and 2024. Argentina also claimed the 2022 Finalissima against the European champions Italy.

“I give eternal gratitude for everything he has given us, for defending this shirt like no one else," added Scaloni.

"For me, it's a dream come true to have coached him. I told him in front of everyone, with what little energy I had left to say it: never in my life would I have imagined that I would become the manager of the greatest footballer in history."