Dhaka, Oct. 7 -- The lights went out. Fireworks illuminated the Monumental. Lionel Messi walked on to the pitch with his three sons as more than 85,000 people rose to greet him.

Argentina had promised that Messi's final international appearance would be much more than a football match.

For hours before kickoff against Benin, through a carefully timed interruption during the game and long after the final whistle, his goodbye unfolded as a celebration of a 21-year international career.

There was live music, a giant No. 10 shirt, fireworks, a minute-long ovation, a half-time performance, drones over the Monumental and a closing musical surprise.

There were plenty of tears too.

The emotion had begun before Messi even reached the stadium....