A tribute match that featured Lionel Messi was so much fun the referee wanted to get involved in the play - but the eager official was soon made to regret his involvement

Lionel Messi played in a farewell match dedicated to Maxi Rodriguez - as did the referee before he was sent flying by Ever Banega.

Hector Baldassi started playing passes back to Newell's Old Boys stars against the Argentina XI - but the former Sevilla man wasn't too pleased.

Sprinting back after an attack as Baldassi ran with the ball in his bright orange shirt, the 57-year-old was sent flying by a push and body check.

He laughed while getting back to his feet while handing his yellow card to former Liverpool man Rodriguez - who booked a smiling Banega.

A fan chuckled on Twitter: "Lol what kind of game is this, so good."

A second added: "The most humorous football game I've ever witnessed." A third agreed: "This game was too much fun."

Another comment said of the ref's ability with the ball: "You can tell ref used to be a baller, the weight of pass, the constant scanning while advancing the ball."

Messi of course stole the show in the legends fixture, scoring three times before the break with the final score finishing up 7-5 to Newell's Old Boy.

On what was his 36th birthday, Messi was serenaded by fans as he prepares to link up with Inter Miami after leaving PSG.

Rodriguez, 42, had three spells with Newell's Old Boys across his extended professional career, having also featured for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

CAMBIO DE ROLES: BALDASSI AGARRÓ LA PELOTA... ¡Y MAXI SACÓ UNA TARJETA AMARILLA!

📺 #GraciasMaxienStarPlus | #StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/5q2kFFxqPz

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) June 24, 2023

 More than 40,000 fans were present at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, with Messi's free-kick the picK of the 12 goals on show.

Rodriguez, who retired back in 2021, said at the time of his decision: "It is a very difficult decision to make, but at the same time I am very calm with it.

"There were many years of my career and I think I gave myself to the fullest and I completely emptied myself. I have nothing more to give."