Buenos Aires gave Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell a ceremonial setting at the Monumental, but another message from the stands again drew attention beyond the match itself. During the home side’s meeting with Benin, supporters displayed banners reading “The Malvinas are Argentine”, reviving an issue that had already surfaced during the 2026 World Cup.
A message returns at the Monumental
The banners appeared at different points of the match and in more than one part of the stadium, with television cameras capturing several supporters holding the political message. Their presence formed part of an evening centred on Messi’s tribute and departure from the national team environment.
- Argentina faced Benin at the Monumental Stadium.
- The occasion included a tribute and farewell for Messi with the Albiceleste.
- Several spectators displayed signs stating that the Malvinas belong to Argentina.
- No Argentina players took part in presenting the banners on this occasion.
That distinction may prove significant after the consequences of the World Cup incident. With the display confined to the crowd rather than the pitch, there is currently no expectation of a disciplinary punishment for the Argentine Football Association.
The World Cup image against England
The message became an international talking point three months earlier, after Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final victory over England at the 2026 World Cup. Argentine fans had brought an improvised white sheet into the stadium, using black spray paint to write the slogan.
Security controls prevented the supporters from simply carrying it onto the field. In the closing stages, however, they used a plastic bottle to send the sheet towards the pitch.
- Giovani Lo Celso collected the banner after it reached the playing surface.
- Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez joined him.
- The three Argentina players unfolded the message on the field in view of spectators and cameras.
- The episode became one of the most widely discussed images from Argentina’s match with England.
A previous FIFA penalty
The pitch-side display after the England match later brought a financial sanction from FIFA against the AFA, which was found to have breached the governing body’s disciplinary regulations.
At the Monumental, the same political statement returned without direct involvement from the squad. Even on a night against Benin rather than England, it showed that the issue remains likely to accompany Argentina whenever the national side gathers before its public.
