Lionel Messi yesterday bid adieu to his countless football lovers here as Argentina held their last practice session in the city before leaving for Bangladesh today.

Messi waved at the crowd after the team's tune up session got over at the Salt Lake stadium. He kicked three balls one after the other to the stands triggering a scramble to get hold of the priceless treasures.

"I never even imagined that I will get so much love from the people here. Right from the time I stepped into the airport I have been hearing shouts of Messi. I am deeply moved," Messi told Argentine journalists in Spanish.