Lionel Messi’s farewell with the Argentina national team was meant to be an emotional send-off, and Benin were the opponents for his final game. The captain decided it was time to take a step back from the national side, closing another chapter with the country he has represented for so many years.
The night produced an uncomfortable moment. One Benin player was clearly excited about being around Messi and tried twice to take a selfie with the Argentine star, even as the captain made plain he was not looking for a photo. Cameras captured Messi moving him away on both occasions. Messi simply wanted to soak in the moment with his country, his team and his family.
The gesture understandably came across as rude, though it was also difficult to watch the Benin player keep trying after it had become clear that no photo was on offer. It may have been his only opportunity to take a selfie with one of his idols — but this was Messi’s final home game with Argentina, and he wanted to live every remaining minute of it.
Even so, the exchange did not fully overshadow an otherwise emotional night. The country came to a standstill after Messi’s farewell, while those who had the privilege of attending the home game spent the evening praising and applauding him.