Global anticipation has reached a fever pitch as international football prepares for Lionel Messi’s final appearance in the iconic sky-blue and white jersey of Argentina. Sharing the pitch for this historic farewell in Buenos Aires is a landmark moment for the visiting Benin squad. However, despite their profound admiration for the footballing icon, Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has insisted there will be no room for sentimentality on the pitch.
Argentina are scheduled to face the West African nation on Wednesday at 5:00 am Bangladesh Standard Time. While the fixture is widely expected to be a celebratory affair honoring Messi’s stellar international career, Dandjinou’s objective remains firm: prevent the Argentine captain and his teammates from scoring at all costs.
Dandjinou, who plays professionally for South African Premier Division club Kruger United, spoke to the Spanish sports daily Marca shortly after landing in the Argentine capital. His comments came amidst widespread media reports suggesting that Benin’s pre-match preparations were in disarray due to sub-standard accommodation, power outages, water shortages, and logistical hurdles.
The goalkeeper firmly dismissed those rumours, stating that the squad was comfortably settled and experiencing no operational difficulties in Buenos Aires. He emphasised that the team was enjoying a highly professional atmosphere despite external speculation.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the encounter, Dandjinou acknowledged the rarity of playing against Messi in his swansong match, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. Nevertheless, he underlined that his priority remains representing his nation with pride. He noted that football is played eleven against eleven, and while Benin respect Argentina’s pedigree, they have not travelled as tourists but to compete fiercely.
When asked whether he might concede easily or allow Messi a ceremonial goal, Dandjinou was unequivocal. He declared that even if Argentina were awarded a penalty in the final minute, he would make every effort to save it. According to the goalkeeper, a player of Messi’s stature needs no charity and would expect to earn every goal through performance.
Dandjinou also commented lightheartedly on the scramble amongst his teammates to claim Messi’s match-worn shirt, joking that organisers should provide jerseys for the entire squad to prevent an internal struggle. Paying tribute to the broader era of football dominance, he named both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as inspirational figures, concluding that Messi undeniably stands as one of the indisputable kings of the sport.
