Équipe nationale du Bénin : Un membre du staff dénonce le comportement des Argentins et de Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi's farewell match with Argentina continues to be controversial. Following statements by Benin's coach Gernot Rohr, his assistant Tunde Adelakun has also denounced the reception given to the Leopards in Buenos Aires, citing a disdainful attitude from the Argentine delegation and disappointment linked to the behavior of global star Lionel Messi.
The celebration should have been wonderful for the Benin players. Facing Argentina in a friendly match organized in tribute to Lionel Messi, the Cheetahs hoped to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to get close to their idol and share a moment with the 2022 world champions.
But behind Argentina's victory (3-0), the African delegation claims to have had a particularly frustrating experience.
At 39, Lionel Messi left his mark on this match. Scoring Argentina's third goal after providing two assists, the Albiceleste captain celebrated a significant milestone in his international career, marked by two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup victory.
However, within the Beninese delegation, the memories of that evening are far from being purely festive.
A grueling journey for an exceptional poster
A few hours after the match, Gernot Rohr had already expressed his displeasure. The Benin coach lamented, in particular, the impossibility for his players to obtain photos or jerseys from their Argentinian counterparts, despite their attempts. He also denounced the restrictions imposed by security personnel, who allegedly prevented the Leopards from approaching Messi and accessing the areas reserved for the Argentinian national team.
This time, it was Tunde Adelakun, Rohr's assistant, who gave his version of events in a lengthy statement published on The African Football Club. The coach first recounts the enthusiasm generated by the announcement of this match against the world champions.
For the Benin staff, this match represented a rare opportunity to participate in a historic event in world football. Despite a busy schedule, with the first qualifying matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in sight, the delegation had accepted the challenge.
The journey, however, was particularly arduous. The Beninese team had to endure a six-hour flight from Abidjan to Paris, before continuing their trip for thirteen hours to Buenos Aires, with a layover. A long journey that Tunde Adelakun nevertheless considered justified given the importance of the event.
The Cheetahs then managed to obtain four points in their two qualifying matches for the AFCON-2027, with a draw against Burkina Faso and a victory against Mauritania.
But the Argentine experience left a bitter taste for part of the group.
Players turned back by security
In his testimony, Gernot Rohr's assistant describes a team that came to pay tribute to Messi, but was allegedly kept away after the final whistle.
According to him, the exchanges between the two teams were brief and impersonal. Attempts by the Beninese players to approach the Argentinian striker were systematically thwarted by security personnel.
The situation would have particularly affected the younger internationals, who grew up admiring the former Barça player and hoped to leave with a photo or, simply, a handshake.
Tunde Adelakun also recounts that some Beninese players wanted to form a guard of honor to greet Messi as he passed by. But the gathering was quickly dispersed by security personnel, an intervention that the coach considered disproportionate.
This situation reinforced the feeling of incomprehension within the African delegation, who felt they had made the trip to contribute to the celebration of a football legend.
The most painful moment, according to Tunde Adelakun, occurred during Lionel Messi's lap of honor. As the Argentinian walked around the pitch to the applause of the crowd, several Beninese players reportedly positioned themselves along his route to show their admiration.
But, according to the assistant's account, Messi ultimately changed direction at the last moment to join the center of the field, thus avoiding the group of Beninese players.
For Adelakun, this gesture was yet another disappointment for international players who had made a long journey in the hope of experiencing a special moment with their idol.
Beyond the frustration, the coach raises a question about how the Benin delegation would have been treated. He wonders, in particular, about the reaction of the Argentinians if a top European team, such as England or Spain, had made the same trip to pay tribute to Messi.
These accusations add another dimension to this evening meant to celebrate one of the greatest careers in football history. While the match remains associated with Messi's farewell to the Argentinian national team, it has also become a source of controversy for the Leopards of Benin.
The facts reported by the Beninese staff were not, however, corroborated, in the elements presented, by a response from the Argentinian delegation.
Commentaires (18)
Il y'a eu d'abord les burkinabé qui se sont plaints des mauvaises conditions de voyages, de séjour dans leur hôtel et du racisme dans le stade. Alors sachant cela puisque cela a fait le tour des médias, pourquoi les béninois ont-ils accepté d'aller jouer en Argentine et de se faire humilier de la sorte.
Les idiots ont eu ce qu'ils méritent et franchement on en a rien à branler !
JE n'ai jamais compris comment les africains pouvaient supporter Messi malgré son génie. C'est un raciste et une mauvaise personne! Son attitude l'a toujours démontré ..je n'ai aucun respect pour ce joueur
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