Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed disappointment over 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.
Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, in what was Messi’s final appearance for the national team. The Argentine captain marked the occasion with a goal and two assists.
However, Rohr said the Benin players were unable to get close to Messi and his teammates after the match because security personnel prevented them from entering the tunnel and dressing-room areas.
Speaking on RMC radio, the former Nigeria coach said the players had tried several times to meet the Argentine stars but were unsuccessful.
“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.”
Rohr said some of his players had prepared shirts in the hope of exchanging them with their Argentine counterparts, but security restrictions prevented the interaction.
The Benin delegation also reportedly attempted to present Messi with a bouquet of flowers in the country’s colours yellow, red and green, but the gesture did not result in a meeting with the 39-year-old forward.
Rohr, however, managed to secure a special souvenir of his own. He handed Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni a shirt signed by Messi from 2018, asking him to have the Argentine star sign it again. Scaloni reportedly returned the signed shirt to Rohr.
Despite the disappointment, Rohr described the match as an extraordinary experience for his players, particularly the younger members of the squad who had the opportunity to play against Argentina during Messi’s final international appearance.
Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career with 208 appearances and 126 goals. His farewell night saw him score from the penalty spot and provide assists for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz as Argentina secured the 3-0 victory.
For Benin, the historic occasion therefore ended with mixed emotions — a memorable opportunity to share the pitch with one of football’s greatest players, but frustration over the missed chance to exchange shirts and capture personal memories with Messi.
