Lionel Messi’s farewell from the Argentine national team had everything a night like that is supposed to have: tears, a goal, two assists, and a Monumental Stadium paying tribute to its captain. The match itself finished 3-0 against Benin, in what was Messi’s final appearance with the Albiceleste in front of an Argentine home crowd.
It also produced a mistake that travelled across the internet within minutes. As the captain and his teammates stayed on the field after the win, hundreds of drones rose into the sky and began forming images from his career. One of them was the silhouette of Messi standing in front of a ball — and it was immediately clear to fans that the drone-rendered Messi was shooting with his right foot. The Argentine, one of the most recognisable left-footed players the game has known, was shown striking the ball with his non-dominant foot. Comments such as “Chiqui Tapia did it” and “WHAT A BLUNDER” spread quickly on social media.
Messi has scored with both feet over the course of his career, but his game is tied above all to his left. Ball control, dribbling, feints, assists and the vast majority of his goals were built with it. That is why the detail stood out so sharply on a night designed precisely to look back over that career.
It was not the only element of the show that generated noise. Before the tribute to Messi began, the drones displayed the logo and name of an insurance company sponsoring the game. The commercial slot drew boos from the stands and criticism from supporters, who had expected the spectacle to open directly with images of their captain.
Once the tribute proper started, the drones formed the AFA crest with its three stars, a jersey carrying the surname “Messi” and the number 10, and a series of images linked to his titles and his career with Argentina. The World Cup trophy won in Qatar also appeared, and towards the end came the message “Thank you, Leo!” alongside the three stars. The final image was Messi’s face in profile against the backdrop of the Monumental. The AFA confirmed that the drone show was part of the display prepared for the farewell, together with the lights, fireworks and musical performances.
The right-footed rendering had a recent precedent. In early September, LEGO also showed Messi kicking with his right foot in an animation released as a tribute to the Argentine after he announced his retirement from the national team. In the video, a minifigure wearing the number 10 walks through a stadium tunnel, steps onto the field and finds a ball, with the closing scene showing the miniature Messi shooting with his right foot. The brand posted the animation with the message: “The boy who entered the tunnel became the legend who changed the game. Thanks for everything, Leo!” Fans noticed the wrong leg at the time too, turning the tribute into another small anecdote about Messi’s left foot. LEGO also offers official products inspired by the player.
On a night remembered for Messi’s emotion, his final goal with Argentina and a farewell in front of more than 85,000 people, the right-footed version of the No. 10 ended up earning its own place among the memorable images.