By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-07 07:51:22 | Updated at 2026-10-07 08:24:15
38 minutes ago
Argentina fans displayed numerous banners claiming ownership of the Falkland Islands at Lionel Messi's send-off match.
In front of 85,000 people at the Estadio Monumental, Messi was given an emotional farewell, which some supporters used as an opportunity to display signs reading: "Las Malvinas son Argentinas."
The banner translates to "The Falkland Islands are Argentine" and was seen on several occasions at this summer's World Cup.
During Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England, players themselves brandished the same banner, sparking widespread anger in the UK.
Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded firmly, saying: "The World Cup might not be ours, the Falkland Islands definitely are. Self-determination rests with the islanders, and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver."
Fifa launched an investigation into the incident, given its regulations prohibit political messaging at tournaments.
However, the governing body had already overlooked repeated references to the conflict in songs performed by players throughout the competition.
In August, Argentina's rugby supporters held up similar banners during a Pumas fixture against South Africa, after the team decided to wear a kit honouring Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup triumph.
Argentina fans displayed banners claiming the Falkland Islands at Lionel Messi's send-off match
REUTERS
President Javier Milei backed the players' World Cup celebration, calling it "perfectly valid" and insisting the message "reflects a sentiment shared by all Argentines".
He said: "I know that for Argentinians, we won the World Cup the moment we beat England because that's really what everyone wanted."
British control of the Falklands, a self-governing overseas territory situated roughly 300 miles east of Argentina in the South Atlantic, dates back to January 1833.
The two nations fought a war over the islands in 1982.
The banner translates to 'The Falkland Islands are Argentine'
REUTERS
A referendum held in 2013 saw an overwhelming 99.8 per cent of islanders vote in favour of maintaining their status as a British territory.
The question of sovereignty over the islands remains a deeply felt grievance for many Argentinians, repeatedly surfacing during sporting encounters.
Messi's farewell fixture marked his 208th and final cap for Argentina, with demand so intense that all tickets were snapped up within an hour and a half of going on sale.
Messi's farewell fixture marked his 208th and final cap for Argentina
REUTERS
He called time on his career after losing the World Cup final to Spain in the summer.
In his birthplace of Rosario, an enormous replica of his number 10 shirt bearing the word "Gracias" was unveiled across the city.
Meanwhile in Patagonia, a colossal 85-foot statue depicts Messi on his knees clutching the World Cup trophy, towering over passing motorists, in a testament to the extraordinary career of the former Barcelona star.
