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Messi's farewell match for Argentina was stopped for fireworks and applause

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The friendly match between the national teams of Argentina and Benin was stopped in the 10th minute with the score 0:0 in honor of captain Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from the national team.
An applause ceremony with fireworks took place at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, after which the game resumed.

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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina at the end of August, two days after the World Cup final. The Argentine Football Association called him up for a farewell friendly match against Benin.

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MOSCOW, October 7 - RIA Novosti. A friendly football match between Argentina and Benin was stopped in the tenth minute in honor of Argentine captain Lionel Messi.

The meeting takes place at the Monumental Stadium in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. In the tenth minute of the game, with the score 0:0, the match was suspended. During the pause, fireworks were launched at the stadium, and fans, players and coaches of both teams staged a ceremony of applause for Messi, who wears the tenth game number. A minute later the game was resumed.

At the end of August, Messi, who plays for Inter Miami in the North American Major League Soccer (MLS), announced his retirement from the national team. The Argentine said that he made this decision on July 21, two days after the World Cup final. In September, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) called up Messi for a friendly match against the Benin national team, which would be his farewell.

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