Benin Coach Says Argentina Denied Players Photos and Shirts With Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi played his final home match for Argentina on Tuesday night at the El Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, scoring one goal and providing two assists in a three-zero win over Benin. Benin coach Gernot Rohr stated after the match that his players were refused any chance to take selfies or swap shirts with Messi. Rohr told RMC radio that security guards blocked Benin players from entering the stadium tunnel and the dressing room. Even an offer of a bouquet of flowers in Benin colors of yellow, red, and green failed to secure permission. Despite the strict refusal, Rohr managed to get one item signed. He gave his own Messi shirt from 2018 to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who had Messi sign it and returned it. Messi marked the night with his one hundred twenty-sixth career goal in his two hundred eighth international appearance. He also added two assists to reach a world record total of sixty-eight international assists, setting up goals for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz. The match briefly paused in the tenth minute to honor his iconic jersey number. Messi had announced his retirement from international football on August thirty-first, following Argentina's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

Context

Post-match jersey swaps and quick photo requests are a very common tradition in international football, even after heavy defeats. However, high-profile farewell matches for legendary players often involve extremely tight security protocols that restrict visitor access to players and dressing rooms.