Benin head coach Gernot Rohr says Argentina’s stars brutally snubbed his players at Lionel Messi’s final international match. The African side travelled to Buenos Aires midweek to take on the 2026 World Cup finalists in commemoration of the star’s incredible international career. But following the match, footage surfaced of Argentina players snubbing opposing players with Messi, in particular, at the heart of it.
While Rohr conceded that his side were proud to have played their part in the historic match, he was left with a bitter taste following the treatment dished out to his players. “We are very happy to be part of history, especially for a football legend like Lionel Messi,” Rohr said (via talkSPORT). “And to play this match at the Monumental Stadium was an extraordinary adventure for my young players.
“The only downside was that the Argentinians gave our players nothing. Not even a photo of Messi.” He continued: “We wanted to exchange jerseys, but we didn’t get a single one. They wouldn’t even let us into their tunnel (changing room). “Security was turning everyone away. Some players were even bringing their jerseys to exchange with other players.
“However, I gave Messi’s 2018 shirt to coach [Lionel] Scaloni, who got him to sign it for me and then returned it to me, but that was all. “He had me sign it and then gave it back to me. I waited half an hour, but it’s not a big deal.” Argentina capped off an emotional evening with a comfortable 3-0 win over the minnows.
Messi signed off in style by converting a 71st-minute penalty – his 126th and final goal for his country in 208 matches.