Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has criticised the treatment his players received from Argentina after their international friendly against the world champions, saying they were 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 what was Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
Messi marked his farewell with a goal and two assists, setting up Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting a penalty to complete the victory.
The 39-year-old later described the occasion as the “saddest day” of his career as he brought an end to a 21-year international career with Argentina.
However, while the night was designed as a celebration of Messi’s international career, Rohr said his players struggled to get close to the Argentina squad after the match.
Speaking on RMC radio’s Rothen s’enflamme on Wednesday, the former Nigeria coach said the Benin team tried to meet Messi and the Argentine players but were stopped by security personnel.
