Steve Mounié acusó a los futbolistas de Argentina

How Do Benin’s Players View Facing Argentina and Lionel Messi?

Benin defender Tijani Mohamed stated that his squad is approaching the fixture as a celebration rather than a standard tactical contest. In an interview with Olé, Mohamed acknowledged that prior to the team’s arrival in South America, many players only truly recognized Messi as the premier player in world football. The central defender also revealed a lighthearted approach regarding the post-match protocol, vowing to secure the historic jersey directly from the forward. “I am going to get the shirt, I swear it on my mother. I am going to say: ‘Messi, look, I love you very much, give me the shirt.’ And that’s it,” Mohamed said.

Complementing that perspective, Benin forward and team captain Steve Mounié offered a blunt assessment of competing against South American opposition. Speaking ahead of the friendly, Mounié characterized matches against Argentine players as psychologically taxing, pointing to past encounters in European club competitions. “The whole Argentine team is like that. It’s a specialty of South American teams, they like to get inside your head and play dirty,” Mounié remarked, recalling a past altercation with defender Leonardo Balerdi that resulted in his own red card during a heated fixture in France.

Mounié additionally noted the overwhelming on-field presence of the Albiceleste captain, explaining that facing the player is punishing even when the player is operating below peak physical capacity. “He destroys you even without playing at 100%, you never have a good time playing against him,” Mounié said, adding a pragmatic summary of his career experiences against the nation’s roster: “You prefer to have Argentines as teammates rather than as opponents.”

What Logistical Hurdles Did Benin Overcome to Reach Buenos Aires?

The African delegation faced a demanding 25-hour transit schedule involving multiple commercial flight connections to reach Argentina. According to reports from the pan-African football portal Mega Sports, the travel sequence followed Benin’s recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures, which included a 1–1 draw against Burkina Faso and a 2–1 victory over Mauritania featuring a brace from Rodolfo Aloko. Despite the fatigue from the extended journey, the squad arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday and settled into accommodations in the city center, where players were later seen walking near their hotel ahead of the marquee fixture.

The arrival contrasted with the travel obstacles faced earlier by Burkina Faso, whose Under-23 squad endured its own logistical delays ahead of a separate weekend friendly against Lionel Scaloni’s side. Benin team officials confirmed to Mega Sports that once initial schedule adjustments were resolved, the delegation’s operational setup in Argentina proved optimal, allowing the squad to shift full focus toward the historic fixture at the Monumental.

Manager Gernot Rohr leads a Benin lineup expected to feature Marcel Souke Dandjinou in goal behind a defensive block of Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani, Charlemagne Azongnitode, and Tamimou Ouorou. Midfield responsibilities are set to fall to Sessi D’Almeida, Imourane Hassane, Yamirou Ouorou, and Junior Olaitan, with Rodolfo Aloko and Tosin Aiyegun anchoring the attack.

How Is Argentina Preparing for the Monumental Farewell?

Manager Lionel Scaloni enters the fixture following a productive international window that featured convincing victories. Argentina routed Bolivia 4–0 in Córdoba with goals from Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Paz, Cristian Romero, and José López, before overwhelming Burkina Faso 7–0 on Saturday through strikes from Martínez, an own goal by Moumouni Diallo, Gianluca Prestianni, Paz, Julián Álvarez, Franco Mastantuono, and Giuliano Simeone.

For Tuesday night’s farewell, Scaloni is projected to deploy Emiliano Martínez in goal, shielded by a backline of Agustín Giay, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and either Nicolás Tagliafico or Facundo Medina. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister are slated to control possession behind an attacking trio comprising Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and Julián Álvarez.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has arranged a post-match tribute for the retiring captain, featuring a commemorative video presentation and remarks from the player himself. Senior squad members Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, though absent from the active roster for this specific match window, will also be present on the sidelines to honor their longtime teammate.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Farewell Match

What time does the match start and where is it broadcast?

The match begins at 8:00 p.m. local time (UTC-3) on Tuesday at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Television coverage in Argentina is handled by TyC Sports.

What is Benin’s recent competitive form?

Benin enters the fixture following the opening rounds of qualification matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team secured a 1–1 draw against Burkina Faso and a 2–1 win over Mauritania in Group F.

Who are Benin’s key personnel for the fixture?

The team is coached by Gernot Rohr and features defender Tijani Mohamed, who wore the captain’s armband during a walk in Buenos Aires, alongside forward Steve Mounié, who plays for German Bundesliga club Augsburg but is sidelined for this match due to injury.

What historical milestone does this game represent?

The fixture marks the definitive conclusion of Lionel Messi’s 21-year career with the senior Argentina national team.