Benin Denied Souvenirs as Messi Bids Farewell
“The only downside is that the Argentinians did not give our players anything, not even a photo with Messi. We wanted to swap shirts, but we didn’t get a single one,” Gernot Rohr stated following the international fixture.
Despite a 3-0 defeat on the pitch, head coach Gernot Rohr and his squad expressed immense pride in taking part in a historic sporting event.
Historic Night Overshadowed by Security Walls
Speaking on the French radio show “Rothen s’enflamme” on RMC, the 73-year-old German manager reflected on the fixture by noting that the team was proud to be part of a historic moment for a legend like Lionel Messi, adding that the match served as an invaluable experience for his young players. Coverage from Heute noted that Rohr described the match in Buenos Aires as an extraordinary opportunity for his squad to step onto the pitch at the historic venue.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the World Cup winner’s farewell, the post-match sequence brought considerable frustration for the visiting players. According to Sport1, security personnel strictly cordoned off the player tunnel and prevented any mingling between the two squads.
Strict Lockdown Keeps Squads Apart
Rohr detailed the barriers faced by his team in French radio comments reported across multiple outlets. The Albiceleste stars remained completely secluded after the final whistle. Security guards turned away everyone attempting to approach, and the visiting players were denied entry to the Argentina dressing room entirely. Several Benin players had brought their own shirts specifically to exchange with their Argentine counterparts, but every attempt failed.
A Rare Signed Keepsake After the Wait
While his players left empty-handed regarding memorabilia, the veteran coach managed to secure a personal item after a delay. Rohr brought a Lionel Messi jersey from the 2018 World Cup with him to Buenos Aires and handed it to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni to have it signed.
After waiting for roughly half an hour, Rohr received the signed jersey back from the superstar, creating a conciliatory conclusion to an otherwise tightly guarded evening. Despite the restrictions enforced by stadium security, the former Bayern Munich player and Bundesliga professional maintained a positive overall outlook on the journey.
Stepping Stone for Continental Preparations
The visiting side views the trip to South America as a vital stepping stone for their developing roster. Rohr emphasized that the final scoreline of 3-0 took a back seat to the developmental value of facing elite international competition. The squad will now return to their continental preparations and upcoming fixtures with the experience of playing against the reigning world champions in front of a packed Buenos Aires crowd.
