No Photo, No Shirt’: Rohr Laments Treatment of Benin Players After Messi Farewell

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has criticised the treatment of his players following their international friendly against Argentina, saying the team was denied the opportunity to take photographs with Lionel Messi and exchange shirts with the Argentine players. Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, in Messi’s final appearance for the national team. The 39-year-old marked the occasion with a goal and two assists, setting up Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting a penalty.

Speaking on RMC radio on Wednesday, Rohr said the Benin delegation made several attempts to meet Messi and the Argentine players after the match but were stopped by security personnel. He said some Argentine players were willing to exchange shirts, but the interaction could not take place because security prevented the Benin players from entering the tunnel or dressing room. The delegation also attempted to present Messi with a bouquet in Benin’s national colours, but Rohr said that effort was unsuccessful. He, however, managed to have a 2018 Messi shirt signed by the Argentine captain through Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. Messi described the farewell as an emotional moment, saying it was a source of pride to represent Argentina for more than 20 years. He ended his international career as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading scorer, with 208 appearances and 126 goals.

#UTVAfrica#