Lionel Messi leaves Argentina stars and fans in tears as he pays poignant tribute to his late father on Buenos Aires farewell: 'I don't want to leave'

The tears which flowed down the cheeks of Lionel Messi were some of the surely millions shed by his countrymen on the pitch and in the stands at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. With the specter of his father hovering over him, Messi described his final match as perhaps 'the saddest day of my career.'

It was a grand occasion befitting maybe the greatest No. 10 to don the blue and white of Argentina. It was an emotional evening the other man to challenge that claim, Diego Maradona, never received.

Long after the final whistle blew on a 3-0 win over Benin, where Messi chipped in his 126th and final goal plus a pair of assists, he admitted to the over 80,000 in the audience, 'I don't want to leave.' No one else in his presence wanted to either.

Fans who prayed Messi could provide one final moment of brilliance in a career full of them weren't left disappointed as he created Argentina's opening two goals. Then, he struck the net on his own to put a final punctuation mark on his time in sky blue and white after two Copa America titles, an Olympic gold medal and - most importantly - a World Cup.

Long before the match began, tears rolled down the face of the beautiful game's Lilliputian giant both on the bus and on the pitch before the national anthem as his three sons joined him.

A large tifo of an Argentina shirt with the words 'Gracias 10' in gold was displayed on the pitch. It was a color scheme reflected on the shirts of the Argentina players, with gold names and numbers. Instead of Adidas' iconic three stripe logo, Messi's stylized 'M' logo replaced it.

Lionel Messi has played his final match for Argentina in an emotional affair in Buenos Aires

Tears rolled down the face of the World Cup winner as he heard the national anthem

Messi's final match was crowned with a final goal to cap a 3-0 win over Benin

In his speech, Messi admitted the memory of his father, Jorge, overwhelmed the occasion

At the tenth minute, the game was stopped for an ovation while fireworks were shot off into the night sky. Opposition players joined in the occasion, clapping along with over 80,000 Argentines.

No one else in white and blue dared to try and steal this evening for themselves. In a country where machismo is so central to its culture, perhaps that is a testament to what Messi signifies.

Teammates paid tribute in their own ways. Goalkeeper Enzo 'Dibu' Martinez, known for his eccentric hair styles, carved Messi's 'M' logo into the back of his head for the occasion.

For all his magical moments, the revelers at the Monumental hoped to see just one more, one last chance to deservedly sing Messi's name to the heavens.

The first half produced three near-chances within a span of just a few minutes time. A teasing pass from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo de Paul met Messi's sliding boot, but just trickled left of the keeper's right post. A trademark Messi free kick was tipped away just two minutes later.

In the 32nd minute, he missed another beautiful chance generated with a pass from Lautaro Martinez that just snuck wide.

At halftime, musician Gaspar Benegas serenaded the crowd with his acoustic guitar, accompanied by a cellist - an instrumental duo befitting an occasion branded as 'El Ultimo Tango.'

The crowd was left perhaps disappointed by the lack of a goal, yet eager to see what lay in store for the final 45 minutes of Messi's national team career.

A tailor made match against Benin honored the man who did so much for Argentines

Fireworks were launched into the night sky above the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires

Messi was lauded by throngs of supporters as he warmed up before his final fixture

At the national anthem, Messi's sons - Thiago, Mateo and Ciro - joined their father

Messi's first chance at goal just rolled wide off his lunging boot only 24 minutes in

It didn't take long. Just four minutes past the restart, Messi whipped in an Argentina corner for an unmarked Nicolas Otamendi, who also played his final match for La Albiceleste. Otamendi raced over to Messi, lifting him up in celebration as the crowd sang their hearts out.

Minutes later, Otamendi received his final bow. He applauded the Monumental, hugged Messi one final time and then trotted off the pitch to be replaced by Lisandro Martinez.

Another Messi free kick was parried away in the 60th minute by keeper Marcel Dandjinou, despite the well struck chance from the No. 10.

While the occasion was built to honor the past, Argentina's future got a chance to shine.

Messi fed another ball to Como maestro Nico Paz, who curled an exquisite left-footed shot past the keeper to double the lead.

After creating chances for others, the passionate thousands wondered and begged for Messi to generate one of his own.

Messi was lifted up by Nicolas Otamendi, who is also retiring, after creating the opening goal

Nico Paz (18) celebrates with Lionel Messi after he created the Como forward's goal

Then, in the 71st minute, Messi converted a penalty for the third goal on the evening

Messi's teammates surrounded him and lifted him up after the conversion

Messi then pointed to the heavens, his trademark goal celebration, for one final time

It arrived in the 69th minute, when a penalty was given after Agustin Giay was fouled inside the box and referee Fernando Véjar pointed to the spot.

His whistle blew. Messi drew a breath, then a pause. Up he strode and then sublimely struck the ball into the top right corner to crown the evening with the moment millions in Argentina and across the world waited for.

Messi's teammates mobbed him, forming a circle and jumping around him. In the stands his sons sang with the revelers as his mother, Celia, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, smiled and clapped.

Messi's point to the heavens - a goal celebration he's done for years - was done with extra meaning. The 39-year-old looked up to the night sky only months after the passing of his father, Jorge.

Time ticked down on the match and on Messi. It may be fitting that he had the final kick of the game, a set piece from 21 meters out.

Véjar handed Messi his cards before blowing the whistle on full time. Teammates and opponents came over with congratulations as Benin players took selfies to mark the evening's significance.

Fans in the audience were reduced to tears at the final sight of Messi in the Argentina shirt

Even teammates, like Enzo Fernandez, let their emotions out as Messi addressed the audience

Messi's wife, Antonela, holds her son, Mateo, as the footballer spoke to the crowd

A drone show lit up the night sky with Messi's name, number and shirt. The lights then showed him kicking a ball and holding the World Cup trophy.

As tears fell from the eyes of his countrymen, his teammates, coach Lionel Scaloni, and Messi's family, singer Soledad Pastorutti crooned an anthem and hugged the football star twice before handing the athletic hero the microphone for one final message.

Messi reflected on the passing of his father before saying, 'I can only thank you all. It has been a huge pride to defend this shirt for over 20 years. We never stopped fighting, never stopped giving everything. Playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing.'

He also addressed the heartbreak of the previous summer: 'We were close to winning the World Cup again.'

Messi too was emotional, letting the tears out throughout the tributes to him

A final salute to the fans as Lionel Messi walked off the pitch for Argentina for one last time

Messi added, 'We gave everything at the World Cup. The game against England was huge for us... We fought with all of our power. We fought all of our lives... Have no doubt that we always gave everything for this shirt.'

After thanking his teammates, Messi mused: 'This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team. But I'll be here supporting whoever comes next. When we are united we are stronger than anyone else.'

He ended his speech with gratitude: 'I don't want to leave this place. I don't want to leave the field. I love all of you, and I will miss all of you. I am proud to be Argentinian.'

Still, the tributes continued. Messi completed a final lap of the Monumental, waving to the thousands who still would not depart. At the center circle, he was joined by his family.

Then, at last, the book was closed. Messi descended the steps to the locker room - waving goodbye to his nation one final time and clearing the stage for a new generation of Albiceleste heroes to make the brave attempt at filling the chasm he leaves behind.