Ano ang naging karanasan ng Benin laban sa Argentina?

Tinawag ni Gernot Rohr na espesyal ang karanasan ng Benin kontra Argentina sa El Monumental, ngunit hindi sila pinayagang makipagpalitan ng jersey kay Lionel Messi.

Bakit hindi nakapagpalit-jersey ang Benin kay Messi?

Ayon kay Gernot Rohr, mahigpit ang seguridad at hindi pinayagan ang kanyang mga manlalaro na makalapit kay Messi pagkatapos ng laban.

Ano ang mga regalo na ibinigay ng Benin kay Messi?

Si Sessi D'Almeida, isang tagahanga ni Messi, ay naghain ng mga regalo tulad ng pulang rosas at estatwang Amazona bilang simbolikong handog mula sa West Africa.

Ano ang sinabi ni Gernot Rohr tungkol sa laban?

Sinabi ni Gernot Rohr na masaya sila na naging bahagi ng kasaysayan, lalo na para kay Messi, ngunit ikinalungkot niya ang hindi pagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makalapit sa kanya.

Ano ang epekto ng laban sa mga manlalaro ng Benin?

Ang laban ay naging makasaysayan para sa Benin, ngunit nagdulot ng pagkadismaya dahil sa hindi pagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makipagpalitan ng jersey o makakuha ng litrato kay Messi.

What is at stake in this match?

Form, table position, and qualification or relegation pressure can all shape how both sides approach this fixture.

World Cup

Benin coach Gernot Rohr: We were not allowed

10 October 2026·4 min read·Amelia Gómez

Coach Gernot Rohr revealed that Benin failed to get a single jersey or a photo of Lionel Messi at El Monumental, in the friendly that marked his farewell to the Argentina national team.

Coach of Benin Gernot Rohr: We were not allowed

According to Vnexpress.

Why it matters

The match between Benin and Argentina is not just a simple friendly match; it was a historic occasion that marked Lionel Messi's farewell to the national team. For Gernot Rohr and his young team, the chance to face a legend like Messi is an important part of their career, even if there are obstacles to their plans to swap jerseys.

Key Points

Coach of Benin Gernot Rohr: We were not allowed.
Gernot Rohr of Benin bemoaned the tight security at El Monumental, which prevented him from changing jerseys or taking pictures with Lionel Messi during his farewell match with Argentina.
HLV sạn Benin phàn nàn vì không đội định áo vội Messi.

Gernot Rohr called Benin's experience against Argentina at El Monumental as special for his young team, but there was one "point" he was not happy about: they were not allowed to exchange jerseys or even take a picture with Lionel Messi. In an interview on RMC Sport's Rothen s'enflamme program (October 8), the coach said that this was the only minus in the historic night that grew old as Messi's farewell to the Argentina national team. "We are happy to be a part of history, especially for a world legend like Messi," he said, before adding that his players were not even given a chance to come close after the match. According to Rohr, security was tight: they were not allowed to enter the hallway leading to Argentina's dressing room and prevented anyone from approaching Messi. Some of his players even brought their own jerseys for the hoped-for jersey exchange, but ended up with none. Before the first minute kicked off, Benin tried to show respect. Sessi D'Almeida, a Messi fan, presented gifts: a red rose and an Amazona statue — symbolic offerings from West Africa. However, according to Rohr, attempts to personally deliver them to the Argentina captain were also unsuccessful. Videos and photos from the match flooded social media, including the scene mentioned by ESPN's official account: a Benin player casually took a selfie with Messi while two of his teammates appeared to be arguing over who would get the star's jersey. Despite this, Benin did not get a change of jersey from Messi, nor a photo.

Rohr himself was the only one with a “souvenir” from the night. The 73-year-old coach said that with the help of his counterpart Lionel Scaloni, he was able to hand Messi an Argentina jersey from 2018 — a piece that went to him when he led Nigeria at the World Cup. Messi autographed the jersey and handed it back to Rohr, who admitted that he too had been waiting for almost half an hour. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a brief statement that the recently concluded friendlies complied with FIFA regulations for international matches and passed the "highest level" standards for such games. Behind this, Argentina's La Nacion reported that the invited teams from Africa allegedly received very low fees, and in some cases no talent fees at all, in exchange for the chance to compete against the world champions. For further context, Rohr has long been on the African continent: a former Girondins Bordeaux player for 12 years, he also led the French club to the final of the old UEFA Cup before moving on to coach Nantes, Nice, Ajaccio and Creteil, as well as the national teams of Gabon, Niger, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. For Benin, despite the disappointment of the hoped-for jersey change and photo, this experience is still important. In Rohr's eyes, his players learned more than the result: a chance to face a legend Lionel Messi, at the shrine of El Monumental, and on a stage where their international development will go far.

What's next

Despite the challenges, Benin is expected to continue their preparations for the next matches, with the aim of improving their performance in international fixtures. This experience against Argentina can inspire the Benin players, as Argentina continue to claim momentum in their season outlook after this historic match.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Benin's experience against Argentina?

Gernot Rohr called Benin's experience against Argentina at El Monumental special, but they were not allowed to exchange jerseys with Lionel Messi.

Why didn't Benin change jerseys with Messi?

According to Gernot Rohr, security was tight and his players were not allowed to get close to Messi after the match.

What gifts did Benin give to Messi?

Sessi D'Almeida, a Messi fan, presented gifts such as a red rose and an Amazona statue as a symbolic offering from West Africa.

< h3>What did Gernot Rohr say about the match?

Gernot Rohr said they were happy to be a part of history, especially for Messi, but he regretted not having the chance to get close to him.

What effect did the match have on the Benin players?

The match was historic for Benin, but led to frustration at not having the chance to exchange jerseys or get a photo with Messi.

Mga Madalas na Itanong

What was Benin's experience against Argentina?: Gernot Rohr called Benin's experience against Argentina at El Monumental special, but they were not allowed to exchange jerseys with Lionel Messi.
Why can't Benin change jersey with Messi?: According to Gernot Rohr, security was tight and his players were not allowed to approach Messi after the match.
What gifts did Benin give to Messi?: Sessi D'Almeida, a Messi fan, presented gifts such as a red rose and an Amazona statue as a symbolic offering from West Africa.
What did Gernot Rohr say about the match?: Gernot Rohr said they were happy to be a part of history, especially for Messi, but he regretted not having the chance to get close to him.
What effect did the match have on the Benin players?: The match was historic for Benin, but led to frustration at not having the chance to exchange jerseys or get a photo with Messi.
What is at stake in this match?: Form, table position, and qualification or relegation pressure can all shape how both sides approach this fixture.