Emotions and Tears in Messi's Last Game for the Argentina National Team

Lionel Messi ended his 21-year presence in the national team on Tuesday and bid farewell to the passionate Argentina fans in Buenos Aires during his emotional last appearance for the former world champions.
In a finale that seemed scripted, the 39-year-old player, widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, said goodbye to the national team in front of 85,000 fans by scoring his 126th international goal; a match in which Argentina easily defeated Benin 3-0. Messi, who played in his 208th international match — extending his record number of appearances — also provided the first assist for Argentina to Nicolás Otamendi, the experienced defender of the team.
Nico Paz also scored another goal for Argentina. However, the match itself was almost overshadowed by the significance of the ceremony; a ceremony where Messi enjoyed the cheers and affection of the fans present at the Monumental Stadium for the last time; an event that had been previously introduced as 'The Last Tango'. Messi entered the field with his three children by his side, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his mother, Celia Cuccittini, who were watching the match from a special box, waved lovingly at him.
Shortly before the match began, a large jersey of the Argentina national team, with the word 'Gracias' meaning 'Thank you' written above the number 10 of this football superstar, was spread on the grass, and the fans welcomed this gesture with shouts and cheers.
Messi was once again moved to tears; when Fabio Santana, a veteran of the Falklands War, sang the national anthem alongside a banner that read:
'Malvinas belong to Argentina'; the same banner that the Argentina players held up after their 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-finals. The game was paused in the 10th minute, in honor of Messi's famous jersey number, and the fans cheered this former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star for a minute.
Messi also concluded this ceremony magnificently by scoring a penalty in the 71st minute.

Source: Gulf Times