Rohr Laments Benin Players’ Treatment After Messi’s Argentina Farewell

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed disappointment over the treatment his players received after their international friendly against Argentina, claiming that they were denied the opportunity to take photographs with Lionel Messi and exchange shirts with members of the Argentine squad.

Argentina defeated Benin 3–0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in a highly emotional match that marked Messi’s final appearance for the national team.

The Argentine captain delivered a memorable performance in his farewell game, contributing directly to all three goals.

Messi provided assists for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before scoring from the penalty spot to complete the 3–0 victory.

The match brought an emotional conclusion to Messi’s remarkable 21-year international career with Argentina.

The 39-year-old later described the occasion as one of the saddest moments of his career, despite the significance of being able to say goodbye to the national team in front of home supporters.

However, while Argentina celebrated Messi’s farewell, Rohr said the Benin players were left frustrated after the match because they were unable to interact with the Argentine players as they had hoped.

Speaking on RMC radio’s Rothen s’enflamme programme on Wednesday, Rohr explained that members of the Benin delegation attempted to meet Messi and other Argentina players but were stopped by security personnel.

According to the German coach, the Benin players were not allowed into the tunnel or dressing-room area, making it impossible for them to take pictures with Messi or exchange shirts with the Argentine stars.

Rohr said some Argentine players were willing to swap shirts with the Benin players, but security restrictions prevented the exchanges from taking place.

The coach also revealed that the Benin delegation had prepared a special bouquet of flowers in the country’s national colours — yellow, red and green — which they intended to present to Messi as a gesture of respect and appreciation.

However, they were unable to personally deliver the gift to the Argentine captain.

Despite the disappointment, Rohr managed to obtain a signed Messi shirt through Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.

He explained that he gave Scaloni a Messi shirt from 2018, asking him to have the Argentine star sign it. Scaloni later returned the autographed shirt to Rohr.

Messi’s farewell ceremony was filled with emotion as the Argentina captain addressed supporters at the Monumental following the victory.

He spoke proudly about representing his country for more than two decades and admitted that no longer playing for Argentina would be deeply painful.

Messi also paid tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, and Argentina football legend Diego Maradona after the match.

He acknowledged the important role both men played in his life and in his connection with Argentine football.

Messi finished his international career as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, making 208 appearances and scoring 126 goals for the national team.

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