Benin manager Gernot Rohr fumes as Lionel Messi and Argentina stars refuse to swap shirts or take photos after legend's farewell
Benin manager Gernot Rohr expressed frustration after Argentina players refused to swap shirts or take photos with his team following a friendly match. The incident occurred after Lionel Messi's final international appearance, with strict security measures preventing interaction.
Why it matters
The story highlights the tension between professional sports protocols and the cultural desire for memorabilia and recognition in international football.
Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that his players were denied the chance to exchange shirts or take photos with Lionel Messi following his final international appearance. The 39-year-old bowed out of Argentina duty on Tuesday with a goal in a comfortable friendly victory over the African nation.
Messi played his final game for Argentina on Tuesday in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin . The 39-year-old marked the historic occasion by scoring a penalty before retiring from international duty.
However, the occasion ended in frustration for the opposition. Benin head coach Rohr claims that the South American side completely shut out his squad after the final whistle. According to the manager, his players were banned from engaging with the Argentina squad. This meant they missed out on the traditional post-match custom of swapping shirts and greeting their opponents.
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12 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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