Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has criticised the treatment his players received after their international friendly against Argentina, claiming they were denied the opportunity to take photographs with Lionel Messi or exchange shirts with the Argentine players following the football icon’s farewell appearance.
Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with Messi producing a memorable performance in what was his final match for the national team.
The Argentine captain scored once and provided two assists as thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate his international career.
However, the celebrations left some members of the Benin delegation disappointed after they were unable to get close to Messi and his teammates after the final whistle.
Speaking on French radio programme Rothen s’enflamme on RMC, Rohr said his players had tried to secure photographs and exchange jerseys but were prevented from accessing areas where the Argentina players were gathered.
“The only shame is that the Argentines gave us nothing. No photo with Messi, no shirt. They didn’t even let us into the tunnel, nor even the dressing room.”
The German coach added that security personnel blocked access despite several attempts by members of the Benin team.
“Security refused to let anyone in. We tried everything, but we got nothing.”
According to reports, some Benin players had hoped to exchange shirts with their Argentine counterparts as a lasting souvenir from a historic occasion, particularly because they had been part of Messi’s final international appearance.
Rohr also revealed that the Benin delegation had prepared a special gesture for the Argentine team.
They attempted to present a bouquet of flowers in Benin’s national colours of yellow, red and green, but the gesture did not result in the players getting the access they had hoped for.
Rohr eventually secured a signed Messi shirt
While the Benin players left without the photographs or shirt exchanges they wanted, Rohr managed to secure a personal memento from the occasion.
The coach said he gave Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni a Messi shirt dating back to 2018 and asked him to have it signed by the Argentine superstar.
Scaloni reportedly took the shirt to Messi, had it signed and returned it to Rohr.
That, however, was the only souvenir the Benin coach said he was able to obtain from the historic night.
Messi bows out with a memorable performance
Despite the post-match disappointment for Benin, the fixture was a landmark occasion for Messi.
The 39-year-old ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists in the 3-0 victory over Benin, taking his international tally to 126 goals in 208 appearances. He also extended his record for international assists.
Messi’s farewell was marked by an emotional ceremony at the Monumental, with more than 85,000 supporters turning out to celebrate one of the greatest players in football history.
