Lionel Messi's last game for Argentina: Pregame tears, a giant flying jersey and 1 final international goal

Lionel Messi played his final World Cup game for Argentina in July. On Tuesday, at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental, the soccer icon played his last international match of any kind .

Tuesday's friendly between Argentina and Benin turned into an emotional farewell and a chance for a nation that adores Messi to celebrate its hero one last time on the field. And Messi, at the end, could not pretend it was anything else.

"Not coming back is going to hurt so much," Messi said postgame. "I swear I'd like to keep coming for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you."

The match also featured two more assists and one last international goal from Messi, who played a part in each of Argentina's goals in a 3-0 win.

Messi's finale is cause for celebration across Argentina

The celebration started long before game time. In Rosario, about 185 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, a helicopter towed a massive replica of Messi's No. 10 Argentina jersey around the city.

Back in Buenos Aires, there were tears before the festivities had a chance to start. As Argentina's team bus arrived at the stadium, cameras captured Messi in tears on his final pregame ride with his teammates.

Once inside the stadium, Messi and the Argentina crowd were filled with emotion as the national anthem played.

At the song's conclusion, fireworks launched from around another giant replica of Messi's jersey at midfield.

Once the game began, not much time passed before another tribute ensued.

Play stopped at the 10-minute mark for more fireworks and an in-game celebration that featured an extended standing ovation and a moment for Benin players to pay their respects directly to Messi.

But Messi's day wasn't done. Fans didn't show up just to watch him play for 10 minutes. And he provided the home crowd with plenty of thrills throughout the game.

Messi delivered an on-target free kick in the 26th minute that Benin goaltender Marcel Dandjinou denied.

Minutes later, he got off another shot in transition that was also turned back by Dandjinou.

After halftime, Messi gave the fans what they showed up for with two assists and the final goal in Argentina's 3-0 win.

Messi contributes to all 3 Argentina goals

With the game in a scoreless tie, Messi delivered a corner kick from the left side in the 48th minute. The pass found Nicolás Otamendi, who powered the ball into the top of the net with his right foot for a 1-0 Argentina lead.

Minutes later, Messi delivered with another assist.

This time, he found Nico Paz just outside the box from the right sideline. Paz converted with a bending left-footer that snuck between Dandjinou and the goal post for a 2-0 Argentina lead in the 61st minute.

Then in the 71st minute, Messi had the opportunity to put the ball in the net himself. A foul in the box set Argentina up for a penalty.

Who else but Messi would take it? Messi lined up and delivered with a left-footed strike that had Dandjinou diving in the wrong direction.

Messi's teammates swarmed and embraced him as they savored the moment in front of a stadium-wide standing ovation. And he remained in the game until the final whistle.

Messi had one last chance to add to his tally with a free kick in extra time that he sent high above the net. But the miss did little to dampen what added up to a fitting coda to a spectacular international career.

When it was done, the game official handed Messi all the yellow and red cards in his pocket as a souvenir from his final game. And Messi shared hugs and handshakes with his teammates and Benin opponents.

The party was far from done, and fans remained in the stands to take in the postgame festivities. A drone show celebrated Messi's and Argentina's World Cup win from 2022.

Messi then took the mic to address fans one last time as a member of Argentina's national team.