No Photo, No Shirt, Benin Coach Laments Treatment After Messi Farewell

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has criticised the treatment his players received after their international friendly against Argentina, saying 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 marked Messi’s final appearance for the national team.

Messi produced a memorable farewell, providing two assists before scoring from the penalty spot as Argentina secured victory in front of a packed stadium.

However, Rohr said his players were unable to approach Messi and his teammates after the match because of security restrictions.

Speaking on RMC’s Rothen s’enflamme, the German coach said the Benin delegation tried several ways to meet the Argentine players but were unsuccessful.

Rohr said security officials prevented the Benin players from entering the tunnel or Argentina’s dressing room, despite some Argentine players being willing to exchange shirts.

He said the situation was particularly disappointing because his players had hoped to keep souvenirs from an historic night.

The Benin team also attempted to present Messi with a bouquet of flowers in the country’s national colours of yellow, red and green, but the gesture did not result in a meeting with the Argentine captain.

Rohr, however, managed to obtain a personal souvenir. He said he handed a 2018 Messi shirt to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who had it signed by Messi before returning it to him.

Despite the disappointment, the Benin coach acknowledged the significance of the occasion for his players, who had the opportunity to share the pitch with one of football’s most celebrated players during his final international appearance.

Messi ended his Argentina career with 208 appearances and 126 goals, making him the country’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer.

For Rohr and his squad, the match will remain a memorable international experience, although the coach said the players had hoped for a closer interaction with the Argentine stars after the final whistle.