Gernot Rohr has criticised Argentina’s treatment of Benin players after Messi’s farewell, saying they were denied photos and shirt exchanges

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed disappointment over the treatment his players received after their international friendly against Argentina, claiming they were prevented from taking photographs with Lionel Messi and exchanging shirts with the world champions.

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Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in what marked Messi’s final appearance for the national team.

The 39-year-old Argentina captain signed off from international football in memorable fashion, scoring a penalty and providing two assists as the hosts secured a comfortable victory.

Messi set up Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting from the spot to complete the win in front of an emotional home crowd.

While the occasion was largely centred on celebrating Messi’s international career, Rohr said the Benin players were unable to enjoy one of the opportunities often associated with playing against a global football icon.

Speaking on RMC radio’s Rothen s’enflamme on Wednesday, the former Nigeria coach said his players tried to meet Messi and other members of the Argentina squad after the match but were stopped by security personnel.

“Yes, it was extremely difficult. We tried.

“The only shame is that the Argentines gave us nothing. No photo with Messi, no shirt. They didn’t even let us into the tunnel, nor even the dressing room,” Rohr said.

According to the German coach, some Argentine players attempted to exchange shirts with their Benin counterparts, but security personnel prevented the interaction.

“Security refused to let anyone in. Some players came to swap shirts, so we knew it would be difficult. We tried everything, but we got nothing,” he added.

Rohr also revealed that the Benin delegation had prepared a special gesture for Messi, hoping to present him with a bouquet of flowers in the colours of the West African nation.

The attempt, however, did not result in a personal meeting with the Argentina captain.

“We offered a bouquet of flowers in Benin’s colours, yellow, red and green, but that didn’t work,” Rohr said.

The coach eventually managed to obtain a signed Messi shirt through Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.

Rohr said he had given Scaloni a Messi shirt from 2018, which the Argentina coach took to Messi for a signature before returning it.

“However, I gave Messi’s 2018 shirt to coach Scaloni, who got him to sign it for me and then returned it to me, but that was all,” he said.

The match marked the end of Messi’s 21-year international career with Argentina, bringing an emotional chapter to a close.

After the victory, Messi told supporters at the Monumental that representing Argentina for more than two decades had been a source of immense pride.

“It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20 years,” he said.

The Argentina captain also admitted that ending his international career would be painful, despite his desire to continue playing.

“Not coming anymore is going to be deeply painful. I swear I’d like to play for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you,” Messi said.

Following the match, Messi paid tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, and Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

He also reflected on the absence of his father, who died in August aged 68, while remembering Maradona’s contribution to Argentine football.

Messi finished his Argentina career as the country’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer, with 208 appearances and 126 goals.

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For Benin, however, the memorable occasion was accompanied by Rohr’s frustration over what he described as a missed opportunity for his players to share a personal moment with one of football’s greatest stars.