Lionel Messi was bizarrely gifted a yellow and red card by the referee who took charge of his final game for Argentina.
The 39-year-old said an emotional farewell to the national team on Tuesday night, scoring in a friendly against Benin before making a speech that left teammates and fans in tears.
Messi capped his 208th and final appearance for his country with a goal and two assists as Argentina waved goodbye to its hero with a 3-0 win.
It was a night of tearful tributes in Buenos Aires and Chilean official Fernando Vejar did not waste the chance to give Messi a parting gift of his own.
After handing over the match ball to the Argentina No 10, Vejar took out his yellow and red card and gave them to Messi, too.
The 39-year-old was then mobbed by teammates and opponents, one of whom asked for an awkward selfie on the field.
Lionel Messi was bizarrely gifted a yellow and red card by the referee who took charge of his final game for Argentina
The 39-year-old legend said an emotional farewell to the national team on Tuesday night
After handing over the match ball, Fernando Vejar gave Messi his yellow and red card
Following the game, the tributes to Messi continued with an emotional musical performance before Messi took the microphone himself.
‘My dad is the first person I think about tonight,’ he began, remembering his father, Jorge, who died aged 68 back in August.
‘I can only thank you all. It has been a huge pride to defend this shirt for over 20 years. We never stopped fighting, never stopped giving everything. Playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing.’
Messi’s speech left supporters and players such as Enzo Fernandez struggling to contain their emotions.
‘I want to thanks all of my teammates. You made all of my dreams come true… I was surrounded by warriors. I’m going to miss this,’ he continued.
‘This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team. 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.’
The 39-year-old brought down the curtain down on his international career after 21 years, 126 goals, two Copa America titles and a World Cup victory.
