No Photo, No Shirt: Rohr Laments Argentina Snub After Messi Farewell
Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has criticised the treatment of his players following their international friendly against Argentina, claiming they were prevented from taking photographs with Lionel Messi or exchanging shirts with the world champions.
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 Argentine captain produced a memorable farewell, scoring from the penalty spot and providing assists for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz as Argentina secured a comfortable victory.
Messi, 39, later described the occasion as the “saddest day” of his career as he brought the curtain down on a 21-year international career.
However, the post-match experience left Rohr and his players disappointed after security personnel reportedly prevented them from meeting the Argentine stars.
Speaking on RMC radio’s Rothen s’enflamme on Wednesday, the former Nigeria coach said the Benin delegation had hoped to take photographs with Messi and exchange shirts with the Argentine players.
“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 officials intervened.
“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.
The Benin delegation also attempted to present Messi with a bouquet of flowers in the colours of the country — yellow, red and green — but Rohr said they were unable to meet the Argentine superstar.
“We offered a bouquet of flowers in Benin’s colours, yellow, red and green, but that didn’t work,” he said.
Rohr eventually secured a personal memento from Messi after handing a 2018 Messi shirt to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who reportedly got the shirt signed by the legendary forward.
“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,” Rohr said.
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 Argentine captain produced a memorable farewell, scoring from the penalty spot and providing assists for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz as Argentina secured a comfortable victory.
Messi, 39, later described the occasion as the “saddest day” of his career as he brought the curtain down on a 21-year international career.
However, the post-match experience left Rohr and his players disappointed after security personnel reportedly prevented them from meeting the Argentine stars.
Speaking on RMC radio’s Rothen s’enflamme on Wednesday, the former Nigeria coach said the Benin delegation had hoped to take photographs with Messi and exchange shirts with the Argentine players.
“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 officials intervened.
“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.
The Benin delegation also attempted to present Messi with a bouquet of flowers in the colours of the country — yellow, red and green — but Rohr said they were unable to meet the Argentine superstar.
“We offered a bouquet of flowers in Benin’s colours, yellow, red and green, but that didn’t work,” he said.
Rohr eventually secured a personal memento from Messi after handing a 2018 Messi shirt to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who reportedly got the shirt signed by the legendary forward.
“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,” Rohr said.
