‘What a shame…’ Argentina fans don’t like their tribute idea for Lionel Messi’s final game

It appears the AFA are proposing a unique idea to give Lionel Messi the proper sendoff from the Argentinian national team that he deserves.

Messi announced his retirement from the Argentine national team just a few weeks ago, following a disappointing loss in the FIFA World Cup final.

However, the AFA are trying to coax Messi back to the team for two final games, so fans pay tribute to him and give him a proper farewell.

AFA want Lionel Messi to play next Argentina games for farewell ceremony

According to Argentine reporter Fede Cristofanelli, the AFA are going to try to bring Lionel Messi back to the national team to give him an appropriate farewell.

Their current plan is to give him two farewell games at the Estadio Monumental and the Estadio Mario Kempes against Burkina Faso and Benin, respectively.

While the location of these games hasn’t garnered much backlash, the same cannot be said for the opponents, with many fans wanting a better set of opponents for Messi’s swansong with the Albiceleste.

One fan wrote, “You plan Messi’s farewell with the national team, something you could invite Brazil to Germany and everyone would want to take part in something like that, but no…”

Another fan added, “It’s more dignified for his last game to be a lost final… how could they possibly want the best player in history to retire against Benin?”

A third fan asked Messi not to return, saying, “Burkina Faso and Benin? Goodbye Leo, you gave us a lot of joy. Don’t come back.”

“That’s all the world’s best deserves in the eyes of the AFA’s mercenaries,” wrote a fourth fan, frustrated by the AFA’s proposed idea.

A fifth fan questioned why the AFA are being blamed, asking, “Even for that, they’re just blaming Argentina? It’s a shame.”

And lastly, one fan pleaded with the AFA to reconsider, saying, “Please no, it can’t be his last match against one of those two teams.”

While there doesn’t seem to be any animosity towards either country in general, many Argentine fans believe Messi’s final game and opponent should be befitting the legacy and impact he had.

Fans would have preferred seeing Messi take his Argentine victory lap after facing a team like Brazil or Germany, with whom the Argentines have such a great history.

There is no word on whether Messi will even accept this proposal, but this backlash could weigh on the superstar when he makes his decision.

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