Female fan separates herself from ‘boyfriend’ when cameras turned to them at Messi’s Argentina farewell

Published: 04:05 EDT, 8 October 2026 | Updated: 04:05 EDT, 8 October 2026

A female football fan was seen separating herself from a male companion after the pair were caught on camera during Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell on Tuesday.

The couple were among the over 80,000 spectators present at the Estadio Monumental as Argentina paid tribute to the legendary star in a friendly match against Benin.

Cameras picked out the couple during the pre-match build-up, with footage being shared on social media showing the female fan realizing that they were being shown on the big screens.

Oops! A female football fan was seen separating herself from a male companion after they were caught on camera ahead of Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell match on Tuesday

The fan was then seen awkwardly removing her boyfriend’s hand from her shoulder and began adjusting her hair while glancing in his direction and exchanging words.

Football fans were quick to begin speculating about the interaction on social media, with some joking it was ‘Argentina’s Coldplay moment’.

The comments referenced the now infamous kiss-cam at a Coldplay concert last year which caught a CEO and his co-worker embracing.

Seems familiar? Fans joked on social media that the incident was Argentina’s ‘Coldplay moment’, referencing the infamous kiss-cam which caught a a CEO and his co-worker embracing last year

One viewere joked in the comments: ‘Coldplay Kiss Cam moment at Lionel Messi farewell.’

Another person wrote: ‘It feels like she deliberately put some distance between herself and the camera once she noticed it.’

Others, however, offered a more sympathetic view of the clip with one fan saying: ‘Am I being naive to theorize that she might have just wanted his arm off her so she could fix her hair?’

Other priorities: After the woman removed the man’s arm she busied herself with fixing her hair

The match itself proved an emotional occasion as Messi said farewell to Argentina’s national team.

The 39-year-old capped his 208th and final appearance for his country with a goal and two assists as Argentina waved goodbye to its hero with a 3-0 win.

Following the game, tributes to Messi continued with an emotional musical performance before he took the microphone himself.

Sad goodbye: Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina in an emotional affair in Buenos Aires

True hero: Fireworks were launched into the night sky above the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires

Family moment: During the national anthem, Messi’s sons – Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro – joined their father

Remembering his father, Jorge, who died aged 68 in August, Messi said: ‘My dad is the first person I think about tonight.

‘I can only thank you all. It has been a huge pride to defend this shirt for over 20 years. We never stopped fighting, never stopped giving everything.

‘Playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing.’

Good one: Messi scored his final goal for Argentina from the penalty spot as they earned a 3-0 win over Benin

Messi’s speech left supporters and players, including Enzo Fernandez, struggling to contain their emotions.

The star continued: ‘I want to thank all of my teammates. You made all of my dreams come true… I was surrounded by warriors. I’m going to miss this.

‘This may be the saddest day of my career, leaving the national team. I don’t want to leave this place.

‘I don’t want to leave the field… I love all of you, and I will miss all of you. I am proud to be Argentinian.’