Argentina beats Benin 3-0 in Messi’s final appearance

Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Lionel Messi’s final appearance for the national team, but Benin coach Gernot Rohr said security prevented his players from meeting Messi or exchanging shirts after the match. Messi scored from the penalty spot and assisted goals by Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz in the international friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The match marked the end of his Argentina career, during which he made 208 appearances and scored 126 goals, according to reports. Rohr said Benin’s players tried to approach the Argentine team after the final whistle but were turned away. He said they had hoped to take a photograph with Messi and exchange shirts, and that security did not allow them into the players’ corridor or dressing-room areas. His account of the access attempts was reported across accounts of his comments, which stemmed from an interview with French radio. The coach also said Benin offered Messi a bouquet in the colours of the country but did not get to meet him. Rohr said he later received a signed 2018 Messi shirt after giving it to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who obtained the signature and returned it.