Messi has a distasteful moment as players fail to read the room during Argentina farewell
A moment that briefly took away from what was supposed to be an emotional night for the Argentina captain
For Argentinians and soccer fans around the world, it was time to say goodbye to a legend. Lionel Messi decided it was time to take a step back from the national team , closing another chapter with the country he has represented for so many years. Messi is an idol both on and off the pitch, not only for Argentinians but for millions of fans around the world.
Even fellow players still look up to Messi
That admiration also exists within soccer itself, with players often looking up to legends of the game . That was the case for the Benin players, who were Argentina's opponents in Messi's final game. It was surely a moment the African team will never forget, but one interaction with Messi became an uncomfortable part of the night as the captain tried to absorb every second of his final day with Argentina.
One Benin player was clearly excited about the moment and the opportunity to be around Messi, but he failed to read the room despite Messi's attempts to move on. The African player tried twice to take a selfie with the Argentine star , while Messi simply wanted to soak in the moment with his country, his team and his family. Cameras captured Messi moving him away on both occasions as he tried to stay in the moment.
Messi's reaction may have looked rude, but the timing mattered
The Argentina captain's gesture understandably came across as rude , but it was also difficult to see the Benin player continue trying after it was clear Messi was not looking for a photo . It may have been the player's 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.
The country came to a standstill after Messi's farewell, while those who had the privilege of attending the home game spent the night praising and applauding him. Fortunately , the moment with the Benin players did not completely overshadow what was otherwise an emotional night for Messi and Argentina.
