Messi's Farewell Matches Marred by Selfie Snub and Falklands Banner Controversy

Lionel Messi's emotional farewell to international football was met with mixed reactions online, as his final match for Argentina was reportedly marred by an awkward exchange with a Benin player seeking a selfie and the controversial display of a Falklands Islands banner.

During the post-match festivities of Argentina's friendly against Benin, a nation ranked 93rd by FIFA, the retiring superstar appeared to ignore a Benin player who attempted to take a picture with him. Video circulating on social media shows the player putting his arm around Messi and gesturing for a photograph, but Messi seemingly moved past him. The player persisted, following Messi until a teammate intervened.

The alleged snub drew criticism on social media, with some users expressing disappointment. One comment read, "Messi totally ignored all the Benin Players that wanted a selfie! The easiest thing to do! Will take just seconds! What a shame! Nonsense!!" Another user lamented, "I felt bad for that Benin player that was trying to take a selfie with Messi."

However, others suggested that Messi may have been overwhelmed by the emotions of his final game and the recent passing of his father, Jorge. Messi delivered a poignant speech after the match, thanking his teammates and expressing his pride in being Argentinian. "This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team," he said, visibly emotional. "But I'll be here supporting whoever comes next. When we are united we are stronger than anyone else."

Adding to the controversy of the evening was the prominent display of Argentina's World Cup banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. The banner, which featured the message 'Malvinas are ours,' was seen displayed during the pre-match ceremonies and later embraced by Messi alongside Falklands War veteran and national anthem singer Fabio Santana.

The Argentina Football Federation had previously been fined a significant amount for displaying this banner after their World Cup semi-final victory. The message, painted on a bedsheet smuggled into the stadium, led to strong backlash in the United Kingdom, with then UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle calling the display "entirely inappropriate."