Elijah Odetokun
updated at June 27, 2023 at 8:26 AM
- Lionel Messi took part in Argentina legend Juan Roman Riquelme’s testimonial match on Sunday
- Messi captained Argentina XI and Riquelme captained his Boca Juniors XI
- Both men were serenaded with chants but there was one more for the Inter Miami star
Lionel Messi was shown two sides by Boca Juniors fans, albeit apologetically, during Juan Roman Riquelme’s testimonial match at the famous La Bombonera Stadium.
Messi played in Maxi Rodriguez’s testimonial in his hometown Rosario; he flew into Buenos Aires to feature in his idol, Riquelme’s match.
The new Inter Miami star captained Argentina XI while the legend captained his Boca Juniors side for his second testimonial match after the first in 2015.
Source: Getty Images
Marca reports that the 45-year-old decided to have a second farewell game so Messi could participate, and the game has been delayed for years due to scheduling conflict.
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Sports Manor reported that the former Paris Saint-Germain star was serenaded by chants of ‘Dale Campeon’ in celebration of leading the South American nation to Mundial glory in Qatar last December.
However, they never forgot their own and made another chant towards the former Barcelona captain in an apologetic tone as they hailed Riquelme as the biggest in Boca.
''Messi, Messi, Messi, you have to forgive me. In Boca, the biggest, the biggest is Roman,'' they changed via ESPN FC.
The former Villarreal attacking midfielder spent 15 years of his career at the club spread over two spells on either side of a five year spell in Spain with the Yellow Submarines and Barcelona.
Messi’s connection in Argentina is with his hometown club, Newell’s Old Boys, whom he played against during Rodriguez’s testimonial in Rosario on Saturday.
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FootballSports Brief reported that Riquelme named Messi the GOAT alongside another compatriot, both of whom won the FIFA World Cups for Argentina.
The former Argentinos Juniors bestowed the honour of the greatest of all time on the legends of his country, with Diego Maradona as the other name alongside the reigning world champion.
He overlooked his South American counterpart, Brazilian football legend and three-time World Cup winner Pele.
