The meeting between Argentina and Benin (3-0) was only part of Lionel Messi's farewell to Albiceleste. After the final whistle, the evening continued at the Monumental with a succession of tributes, lights and particularly moving moments. For his last minutes with the Argentine selection, the captain lived a ceremony that was up to his history.
A show of drones in the Monumental sky
After Argentina's victory, the Monumental became a true celebration scene. An impressive drone show illuminated the sky above the stadium to pay tribute to Lionel Messi.
The hundreds of drones successively formed different silhouettes and symbols related to the career of number 10. The number 10, the name of Messi, the Argentine jersey, references to the 2022 World Cup and the three stars of the Albiceleste were represented.
The show ended with a silhouette by Lionel Messi, before the appearance of a message of thanks:" ¡Gracias Leo!". A last strong image to greet more than two decades spent under the Argentine jersey.
Messi takes the floor one last time
After this spectacular sequence, Lionel Messi took the microphone in front of the supporters of the Monumental. Very moved, the Argentine captain delivered a final speech in which he thanked his teammates, supporters and all those who accompanied him on his international journey.
Messi explained, in particular, how difficult it would be to stop returning to this stage with the selection. He also insisted on his pride in wearing the Argentine jersey and achieving his childhood dream by becoming world champion.
The evening, already emotionally busy, took on an even more personal dimension.
One last round of the field with the fans
After his speech, Messi made a final tour of the field. The player went to meet the supporters of the Monumental to greet them one last time.
In the stands, songs and applause accompanied each of his steps. The stadium, filled with more than 85,000 people, extended the tribute to the Argentine captain.
For Messi, these moments have enabled us to measure the extent of the link built with the Argentine public over the years.
The emotion of Messi and his family
The most intimate sequence then came with the arrival of his family on the lawn. His loved ones joined to share with him the last moments of this historic evening.
His eldest son, Thiago, was particularly overwhelmed by emotion and fell into tears when he found his father. Messi then shared a few moments with his children and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, far from the purely sporting dimension of the ceremony.
One last hedge of honor
To conclude this evening, Lionel Messi and his family crossed an honour hedge formed by his teammates and members of the Argentine staff.
After a 3-0 victory over Benin, a penalty goal and two decisive passes, the captain left the international scene in a festive and deeply moving atmosphere.
From tears to speech, from the drone show to the honour tower, then from his family to the honor hedge:lionel Messi's last moments with Argentina have been in the image of his journey, exceptional and charged with emotion.
The Monumental finally sent him a final collective message:thanks, Leo.
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