Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina was intended to be an emotional celebration of one of the country’s greatest football careers.
However, the farewell in Buenos Aires also generated controversy online after footage appeared to show a Benin player struggling to get a photograph with the retiring superstar following Argentina’s friendly against the West African side.
Messi, 39, had been preparing to end his international career following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, where they were eventually defeated by Spain.
Benin Player Attempts to Take a Photograph
Following the match, a Benin player approached Messi while the Argentina captain was taking part in the post-match celebrations.
The player appeared to put an arm around Messi in an attempt to take a photograph with him. Messi, however, appeared to continue moving rather than stopping for the picture.
The Benin player persisted for a period, following Messi in an apparent effort to capture the moment before his teammate Amiro Amadou eventually intervened and appeared to encourage him to move on.
The footage quickly circulated on social media, where reactions were divided.
Social Media Users Criticise Messi’s Response
Some supporters criticised Messi for appearing to ignore the player during what was otherwise a celebratory occasion.
One social media user described the incident as disappointing and argued that taking a photograph would have required only a few seconds.
Another expressed sympathy for the Benin player, while a third accused Messi of treating the player poorly.
The criticism was based on how the interaction appeared in the footage, with no indication from the available account that Messi explained his actions at the time.
Others Point to the Emotion of the Occasion
Not everyone interpreted the moment negatively.
Other observers suggested that Messi may have been overwhelmed by the significance of the occasion rather than deliberately trying to disrespect the Benin player.
The Argentina star was preparing to address the crowd and deliver an emotional farewell speech after the match.
His final appearance for the national team was particularly significant because he was also reflecting on the death of his father, Jorge.
Messi Delivers Emotional Farewell Speech
During his address, Messi thanked his teammates and spoke about the difficulty of leaving the Argentina national team.
He described the occasion as potentially the saddest day of his career and said he would continue supporting the players who represent the country after his departure.
Messi also emphasised the importance of unity within the national team before expressing his affection for Argentina and the supporters.
The emotional speech left several of his teammates visibly moved as the crowd celebrated his international career.
Argentina’s World Cup History Returns to the Spotlight
The farewell event also attracted attention for reasons unrelated to the Messi-Benin incident.
An Argentina banner carrying the country’s claim over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, was displayed during the celebrations.
Fabio Santana, a singer of the Argentine national anthem and a veteran of the Falklands War, stood alongside the banner before wrapping himself in it and embracing Messi.
The message on the banner stated that the Malvinas, or Falkland Islands, belong to Argentina.
Controversial Banner Has Previous History
The appearance of the banner was notable because Argentina’s football federation had previously been punished after a similar display following a victory over England.
Players had displayed the message after an earlier World Cup encounter and were also accused of singing anti-English songs. The incident resulted in a fine of £237,000 for the Argentine football authorities.
The banner itself had reportedly been produced on a hotel bedsheet and brought into the stadium before the match.
Its reappearance during Messi’s farewell therefore revived an issue that has previously generated significant controversy between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
UK Government Previously Condemned the Display
The political dimension of the banner had also drawn criticism from the UK.
Peter Kyle, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, previously described the display as inappropriate and contrasted it with what he regarded as England’s conduct during the tournament.
The latest appearance of the message added another controversial element to an evening otherwise centred on Messi’s departure from international football.
A Farewell Marked by Emotion and Controversy
Messi’s final Argentina appearance was therefore shaped by both celebration and debate.
The 39-year-old received an emotional send-off from his teammates, family and supporters after an extraordinary international career, while his farewell speech focused on his pride in representing Argentina.
At the same time, footage involving the Benin player prompted contrasting interpretations online, while the return of the Malvinas banner brought an established political dispute back into the spotlight.
The events ensured that Messi’s farewell generated discussion beyond the football itself.
