Lionel Messi’s farewell celebration was marred by criticisms on social media of his apparent brutal snubbing of a Benin player keen to take a picture with the retiring superstar.
The 39-year-old’s retirement has been in the works since his country’s ultimately heartbreaking run to the World Cup final and defeat to Spain.
The diminutive Argentine received a well-planned hero’s send-off in Buenos Aires in a friendly against Benin – a nation whose team is ranked 93rd in FIFA’s ranking – hoping to provide his final win.
But while the goodbye left his team-mates, family, and fans in the stands in tears as he paid tribute to his country and his late father Jorge, those online highlighted the superstar seeming to bypass a member of the opposition during the post-match festivities.
The player put his arm around Messi as he looked to take a picture with the football icon but the 39-year-old appeared to blank him.
He then continued doggedly to attempt to capture the special meeting, following Messi until his team-mate Amiro Amadou eventually intervened to suggest that he give up.
Messi attracted widespread criticism for the perceived gesture, with one fan saying: ‘There’s nothing to laugh or cry about here!! Messi totally ignored all the Benin Players that wanted a selfie!
But others were quick to suggest that Messi was merely overwhelmed by the moment, as he was set to give a touching speech which brought his team-mates to tears and took in the recent death of his father Jorge.
After thanking his team-mates, Messi mused: ‘This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team. But I’ll be here supporting whoever comes next. When we are united we are stronger than anyone else.’
He ended his speech with gratitude: ‘I don’t want to leave this place. I don’t want to leave the field. I love all of you, and I will miss all of you. I am proud to be Argentinian.’
Credit: dailymail.com
