Fans took to the streets of Argentina (and beyond) to honor the captain of the “Albiceleste,” Lionel Messi, who in the early hours of Wednesday (October 7) wrote the final chapter of his international career. The city of Rosario, the star’s birthplace, witnessed a spectacular scene as a giant jersey bearing Messi’s number 10 was flown into the sky by helicopter, as part of the most significant celebrations honoring the legend ahead of his anticipated appearance with the national team.
The global impact of his final appearance with the “Albiceleste” was also reflected online, with a striking claim making the rounds on social media. According to a widely shared post, Argentina’s match against Benin reached 3.1 billion views in just the 10th minute, a figure that, if confirmed by official data, would place it at the top of the list of events with the highest viewership or online reach in history.
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In fact, it is claimed that the game surpassed the 2022 World Cup final, which had garnered approximately 3 billion live views. The most impressive aspect of all is the timing. Why? In the 10th minute, the match was paused to honor Messi, with thousands of fans at the “Monumental” standing up and chanting his name.
Messi’s final game with Argentina was a global soccer event, with interest extending far beyond the country’s borders and turning it into one of the greatest spectacles of his era.
Messi wrote an extraordinary chapter in the history of the Argentine national team, leading the squad to victory in the 2022 World Cup, the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the Finalissima title in 2022. He also became one of the top scorers in World Cup history, having scored 21 goals in his World Cup appearances.
| RECORD: Argentina vs. Benin becomes the most-watched event in human history with 3.1 billion views recorded at the 10-minute mark of the game.
The game has surpassed the 2022 World Cup final with 3 billion live views.
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Advertisement— The Touchnine | 𝐓 (parody) (@TouchnineX_) October 7, 2026
*photo source: AP
