New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- Cristiano Ronaldo bid goodbye to Lionel Messi with "utmost respect" after the Argentine football superstar played his farewell match in national colours against Benin on Wednesday . A World Cup winner in 2022, Messi scored from a penalty and set up two goals in his final Argentina appearance in front of more than 85000 fans at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium. Argentina won the game 3-0.

Messi had announced his retirement on August 31, 2026 from international football, shortly after the death of his father Jorge Messi. However, it was decided that Messi will be given a farewell in front of his home fans, against Benin in a FIFA friendly.

He finally hung up his boots after a record-extending 208th international game ...