Benin coach disappointed at not getting a photo or jersey with Messi; upset by Argentina's conduct.

Bangla Press Desk: While Argentina was immersed in an atmosphere of emotion and celebration surrounding Lionel Messi's farewell international match, the Benin team faced a rather different experience. Benin's head coach, Gernot Rohr, expressed disappointment at failing to secure a photo with Messi or obtain a jersey as a memento of the occasion.
Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in the match held at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires early Wednesday (October 7). Messi delivered a stellar performance in his final international game, scoring one goal and providing two assists. However, the Benin players were more disheartened by the lack of expected courtesy from the Argentine team after the match than by the result itself.
Benin's footballers had hoped to acquire Messi's jersey or some other keepsake to cherish the memory of his farewell match, but their efforts were unsuccessful. They did not even get the opportunity to take a photograph with him.
Gernot Rohr, the German coach of the Benin team, voiced his dissatisfaction during the program 'Rothen s'enflamme' on the French radio station RMC. He complained that they received no memorabilia from the Argentine players after the game and were denied access to the tunnel and dressing room areas.
The coach said, "It was disappointing for us. We had no chance to take a photo with Messi or get a jersey as a souvenir. We weren't even allowed near the tunnel or the dressing room."
Rohr also mentioned the obstacles posed by security personnel; citing security reasons, no one was permitted to enter those areas. Although the players had hoped to exchange jerseys, they ultimately had to leave empty-handed.
Rohr further noted that before the match, his team had presented the Argentine squad with a bouquet featuring the three colors of the Benin national flag—yellow, red, and green—as a gesture of goodwill. However, the disappointment lingered in the Benin camp due to the lack of expected hospitality following the match. It is not as if Rohr has absolutely no experience collecting a memento from Messi; back in 2018, he had obtained an autograph from the star through Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. Although he did not receive any souvenir after this farewell match, the Benin coach views that earlier autograph as a consolation.
While Messi's final international match was a memorable occasion for Argentine fans, Rohr's complaints regarding the opposing team's post-match conduct have sparked a fresh controversy.
BP/TD