Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed disappointment over the treatment his players received from Argentina after their international friendly against the world champions. The match, which took place at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, ended in a 3-0 victory for Argentina, with Lionel Messi scoring a goal and providing two assists in his final appearance for the national team. Rohr stated that his players were denied the opportunity to take photographs with Messi and exchange shirts with the Argentine players.
According to Rohr, the Benin team tried to meet Messi and the Argentine players but were stopped by security personnel. He mentioned that some Argentine players attempted to exchange shirts with the Benin players, but security prevented the interaction from taking place. The Benin delegation also attempted to present Messi with a bouquet of flowers in the colors of the country, but this effort did not produce the desired meeting.
Rohr managed to get a 2018 Messi shirt signed by the Argentine captain through Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. He described the experience as difficult, stating that the Argentines gave them nothing, including no photo with Messi and no shirt. The German coach made these comments during an interview on RMC radio's Rothen s'enflamme on Wednesday.
Messi's farewell had been an emotional one, with the Argentina captain addressing supporters at the Monumental after the victory. He described the occasion as the "saddest day" of his career, marking the end of his 21-year international career with Argentina. Messi ended his Argentina career as the country's most-capped player and leading goalscorer, with 208 appearances and 126 goals.
After the match, Messi paid tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, and Argentina legend Diego Maradona in an Instagram post. He expressed his pride in defending the Argentina jersey for over 20 years and stated that not playing for the team anymore would be deeply painful. Messi also thanked his father and Maradona for their influence on his career.
The international friendly between Benin and Argentina was a significant event, with many fans and players alike paying tribute to Messi's illustrious career. However, the incident has raised questions about the treatment of visiting teams and players during high-profile matches. The Benin team's experience has sparked a conversation about sportsmanship and respect in international football.
Gernot Rohr, who previously coached Nigeria, has been vocal about his experiences in international football. His comments about the treatment of the Benin team have highlighted the need for greater respect and sportsmanship between teams, especially during significant events like Messi's farewell match. The incident will likely be discussed further in the football community.
Key points
- Benin coach Gernot Rohr criticizes Argentina for denying his players chance to take photos with Lionel Messi and exchange shirts.
- Messi's farewell match ends in a 3-0 victory for Argentina, with the Argentine captain scoring a goal and providing two assists.
- Rohr expresses disappointment over the treatment of his players, stating that they were denied basic interactions with the Argentine team.
