Watch: 'One last time, GOAT' — Kuldeep Yadav pays special tribute to Lionel Messi after his farewell match against Benin

Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav paid a heartfelt tribute to his favourite footballer, Lionel Messi, following the Argentina captain’s final international match against Benin. Kuldeep shared a special post for Messi, calling him the “GOAT” as the football legend brought his international career to an end.

Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his remarkable international career as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. In front of a packed stadium, Messi played his final game for Argentina after an extraordinary 21-year journey that saw him become one of the country’s most decorated and celebrated footballers.

The farewell night was filled with emotional moments as Messi walked onto the pitch with his sons before kick-off. Fans inside the Monumental created a spectacular atmosphere, chanting his name and celebrating the legendary No. 10. Kuldeep’s tribute added to the emotional farewell for one of football’s greatest-ever players.

See Kuldeep Yadav's post here:

Kuldeep Yadav pays special tribute to Lionel Messi after his farewell match against Benin

Indian spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav paid a special tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine football legend played his final international match against Benin. The chinaman bowler shared a video on his Instagram Story featuring a montage of Messi’s memorable moments with the Argentina national team.

Sharing the video, Kuldeep Yadav wrote, “One last time for Argentina, GOAT.” The heartfelt message showed his admiration for Messi, who has been one of the biggest stars in world football and a favourite of millions of fans around the world.

See also -Kuldeep Yadav to marry childhood friend in March after T20 World Cup 2026 win

Messi’s farewell match against Benin marked the end of a remarkable international career with Argentina. Kuldeep’s special tribute added an emotional touch to the occasion as fans and sports stars celebrated the legacy of the legendary No. 10.

Kuldeep Yadav and Leo Messi: The connection behind the tribute and how Messi's last match ended

On December 20, 2025, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav opened up about meeting Argentina football icon Lionel Messi during his visit to India as part of the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’. Yadav received an autographed jersey from Messi and also gifted the Argentine star a cricket bat. Kuldeep is a well-known football fan and has often spoken about his love for FC Barcelona, where Messi played for several years before moving to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and later Inter Miami. Sharing a picture with Messi on X, Kuldeep wrote, “Hay un lenguaje que compartimos, se llama ‘Controlar el balón’ Idolo,” which means, “There’s a language we share, it’s called ‘Controlling the Ball’ Idol.”

Messi, along with Argentina teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez, began his four-city GOAT India Tour in Kolkata before travelling to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi on December 15. The visit gave Indian fans an opportunity to see the legendary No. 10 and created several memorable moments. Kuldeep’s meeting with Messi was one of them, with the Indian cricketer highlighting the connection between football and cricket through their shared love of controlling the ball.

See also -Watch: Kuldeep Yadav joins Lionel Messi in ADIDAS photo shoot as video goes viral

Messi’s farewell night for Argentina was filled with emotional moments as he walked onto the pitch with his sons before kick-off. Fans at the Monumental created a spectacular atmosphere by chanting his name and celebrating the legendary No. 10. Messi then scored one final goal for Argentina by calmly converting a penalty to make it 3-0 against Benin. The match also featured a special tribute in the 10th minute, when more than 85,000 supporters stood and applauded Messi.

He ended his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, with 208 appearances and 126 goals. Messi won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His final Argentina match ended with a 3-0 victory over Benin, giving the football legend a memorable farewell.

Fans react to Kuldeep's GOAT tribute as Messi's farewell wins tributes across sport

Kuldeep Yadav’s tribute to Lionel Messi quickly caught the attention of fans, with many appreciating the special connection between the Indian cricketer and the Argentine football legend. Kuldeep’s message about their shared love for controlling the ball showed his admiration for Messi and also highlighted how the football star has inspired sports personalities across the world.

Messi’s farewell for Argentina also received tributes from fans and players across different sports. His final appearance for the national team was an emotional moment, with supporters at the Monumental giving him a special reception and celebrating his contribution to Argentine football. His final goal and Argentina’s 3-0 win over Benin made the occasion even more memorable.

The reaction to Messi’s farewell showed the impact he has had beyond football. From Kuldeep Yadav’s tribute to fans celebrating his career, the legendary No. 10 received praise from across the sporting world. With 208 appearances and 126 goals for Argentina, along with major titles including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa America trophies, Messi leaves behind a remarkable international legacy.