Argentina fans displayed numerous 'Malvinas' banners and references to the Falkland Islands at Lionel Messi's final international match in Buenos Aires overnight. An 85,000 capacity crowd at Estadio Monumental saw the perfect farewell to Messi when the 39-year-old scored his 126th and final goal for his country in a 3-0 win over Benin.
However, the fairytale ending was marred by some Argentinian fans choosing to display banners about the Falkland Islands. Cameras spied one which was very similar to the banner Argentina players unfurled after defeating England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, which said 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' — or 'the Falklands are Argentine'. They also spotted flags with the outline of the Islands covered in the blue and white flag of Argentina.
Diplomatic and FIFA fallout
The semi-final incident sparked a diplomatic incident between then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Argentina President Javier Milei. Starmer pointed out the residents of the Falkland Islands voted 99.8 percent in favour of staying in the UK in the most recent referendum on the issue.
FIFA also got involved with the controversy, as it has a strict ban on political messages being displayed on the pitch. Argentina were fined more than £200,000 and ordered to play a home fixture at 50 percent capacity as punishment.
After the final, which Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain, multiple Argentinian officials lashed out in ugly scenes, drawing more punishment from FIFA. President Milei did not apologise for their behaviour, and instead designated the date Argentina beat England — July 15 — as 'national teams day'.
Messi's emotional farewell
Messi's farewell game ended in fairytale fashion as he scored a penalty in a 3-0 win. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who announced his retirement from international football after defeat in the World Cup final, was invited to participate in the friendly to celebrate his career, with all his team-mates from Argentina's triumphant 2022 World Cup squad invited.
The 39-year-old ends his international career with 208 senior caps, the most of any player in the team's history, with his 126 goals for Argentina also a record. He is the only player to start three World Cup finals.
