Referee gifts Messi his yellow and red cards as selfie snub overshadows emotional Argentina farewell

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026.

Lionel Messi scored and set up two more goals in a 3-0 win over Benin at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental on Tuesday, bringing down the curtain on a record 208-cap international career that delivered the World Cup, Copa America and Finalissima. Tears flowed throughout as 85,000 fans packed River Plate's ground for a farewell speech from the centre circle, but two moments after the final whistle grabbed headlines for very different reasons. Chilean referee Fernando Vejar approached Messi at full-time and, with a wink, handed him his yellow and red cards as a keepsake — leaving many fans bemused.

Messi, 39, had announced his international retirement in late August, weeks after the death of his father and following Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Social media turned on Messi after footage appeared to show him brushing off Benin players seeking selfies — one user called it 'a disgrace', though defenders said he simply wanted to savour his final moments with team-mates.

Enzo Fernandez was visibly overcome with grief during Messi's farewell speech to the sell-out crowd, capturing the scale of what Argentine football has lost.