Messi scores 126th Argentina goal as Ronaldo leads with 146

Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly. Lionel Messi scored in the match to raise his tally for the national team to 126 goals.

Argentina opened the scoring in the 48th minute through Nicolas Otamendi. Nico Paz extended the lead in the 61st minute, and Messi converted a penalty in the 71st to seal the result. Messi also assisted Otamendi and Paz’s goals.

The 39-year-old forward has scored 126 goals and provided 70 assists in 208 appearances for Argentina. The match was Messi’s farewell game for the national team.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-scoring player in international football. The 41-year-old has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for his national team.

Messi decided to leave the Argentina national team after the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He announced his decision in a letter published on social media.