UK newspaper criticizes politicization of Messi farewell over Falklands
The Daily Mail has criticized the use of Lionel Messi's farewell match as a platform for Falklands-related political messaging.
Key Takeaways
AILionel Messi’s final match for Argentina against Benin at El Monumental stadium early Wednesday drew widespread global media attention, with British outlets—particularly the Daily Mail—highlighting political undertones related to the Falkland Islands dispute.
The newspaper reported that Messi’s farewell ceremony became a platform for promoting Argentina’s claim to the disputed islands. Messi was seen embracing Fabio Santana, a participant in the Argentine national anthem ceremony, who held a flag reading “Las Malvinas son nuestras,” the Argentine name for the islands.
The Daily Mail added that Messi winked as he greeted Santana, a veteran of the Argentine military during the Falklands War. Large banners in the stands also displayed the phrase “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Malvinas are Argentine”), along with images of the islands in the colors of the Argentine flag.
Background to the dispute and sporting controversy
The British newspaper recalled the controversy during the 2026 World Cup finals between England and Argentina, when Argentine players used the event to assert their country’s claim to the islands. It noted that FIFA launched an investigation into those incidents, as tournament regulations prohibit political messages.
The Daily Mail also referenced the 2013 Falkland Islands referendum, in which 99.8% of residents voted to remain under British sovereignty. Nevertheless, the issue remains a key political point for Argentines and frequently surfaces at major sporting events.