Chants target Claudio Tapia during Messi tribute

A few minutes before Argentina’s match against Benin, supporters chanted slogans aimed at Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association. The chants rang out at the Monumental Stadium during Lionel Messi’s farewell ceremony. The abuse was obscene and insulting, as the tribute to the player unfolded alongside jeers directed at the federation chief.

The slogans did not end before kick-off: they returned after the match during an aerial drone show. The tribute to Messi was also presented with drones, while Tapia was again jeered. The episode therefore accompanied several moments of the evening, from the ceremony to the show that followed the game.

Among the words chanted by supporters were: “Chiqui Tapia, you snitch, Chiqui Tapia, you corrupt son of a bitch.” Argentine journalist Juanma Tucci also reacted on X. He wrote: “People insulted the president of the Argentine Football Association at the Monumental Stadium, a few minutes before the match between Argentina and Benin. Destroying Argentine football is no small feat.” His comment linked the insults heard in the stadium with a broader criticism of the state of Argentine football.