Neymar, Ronaldinho lead star-studded list of celebs to honor Lionel Messi ahead of Argentina swansong originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Lionel Messi‘s impending retirement from Argentina’s national team has the people talking.
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Masses of Argentine supporters spilled into the streets in Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba and anywhere soccer is loved on Tuesday — the final fete of Messi’s glittering international career.
The 39-year-old was celebrated by many in his pomp. Nothing changed as he walked out onto the pitch for the final time with Argentina, taking on Benin in front of raucous Estadio Monumental crowd.
Here’s how various luminaries past and present paid tribute to Messi, the sport’s greatest artist, readying for the final test of his famed spell in blue and white.
LIVE: Lionel Messi highlights, stats from Argentina vs. Benin
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Reactions and tributes to Lionel Messi’s retirement
Stars across the worlds of sports, apparel and entertainment turned their attention to Argentina’s greatest-ever playmaker ahead of his final international fixture on Tuesday. Ronaldinho, who joined Messi in Barcelona at the beginning of his career, said the Argentine No. 10 “made us smile and enjoy football” in a post on Instagram.
Neymar put forth similar sentiments, thanking Messi on behalf of the soccer world. He also credited Messi with “making me love football even more.”
Adidas celebrated Messi’s legacy and partnership with the brand by launching an advertisement celebrating his best moments in an Argentina kit.
The company also placed a 30-foot-long replica of the jersey Argentina will wear for Messi’s last game in Rosario, his hometown.
Tributes continued to pour in as Messi’s final match unfolded. Benin captain Sessi D’Almeida presented the retiring icon with a small statue and letter ahead before the match kicked off.
Expect the tributes to continue to roll in as it begins to sink into the masses that Messi’s international career is ending.
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