Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed disappointment over the treatment his players received after their 3-0 defeat to Argentina in Lionel Messi’s farewell international appearance.
Argentina hosted Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 6, in a match that marked Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
The 39-year-old forward scored from the penalty spot and provided two assists as the world champions secured a comfortable victory.
However, Rohr said the only disappointing aspect of Benin’s trip was the inability of his players to interact with the Argentine stars after the game.
Speaking on RMC’s Rothen s’enflamme, the German coach said his players had hoped to take photographs with Messi and exchange shirts with the Argentine players.
According to Rohr, security officials prevented the Benin delegation from accessing the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms.
“They gave us nothing. No photo with Messi, no shirt,” Rohr complained, according to reports of his interview.
Rohr revealed that some of his players had prepared their shirts for exchanges, while the Benin delegation also presented a bouquet in the country’s yellow, red and green colours.
Despite the disappointment, the coach described the overall experience as valuable for his young squad, particularly given the opportunity to play against Argentina at the Monumental.
Rohr also managed to secure a personal souvenir. He handed Lionel Scaloni a 2018 Messi shirt, which the Argentina coach signed before returning it to him.
