Emotion, tears as Messi prepares for Argentina farewell

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — An emotional Lionel Messi prepared to bring the curtain down on his glittering 21-year international career on Tuesday, bidding farewell to adoring Argentina fans in a friendly against Benin.

Messi, 39, was seen wiping away tears as the bus carrying him and his Argentina team-mates made its way through crowds of wellwishers en route to a sold out Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Shortly before kick off, a giant Argentina jersey bearing the word “Gracias” (Thank You) above the football superstar’s number 10 was laid out on the pitch as a sellout crowd of 85,000 roared their approval.