Benin goalkeeper Allagbé opens up on facing Lionel Messi in historic Argentina clash

Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbé has admitted that facing Argentina and potentially sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi will be one of the most memorable moments of his football career.

The Cheetahs are set to take on the reigning world champions on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires in what will be a historic encounter for both nations.

The friendly will mark the first-ever meeting between Benin and Argentina, adding further significance to an already highly anticipated fixture.

For Allagbé, however, the prospect of coming up against Messi is what makes the occasion particularly special.

Speaking to RMC Sport, the experienced Beninese goalkeeper opened up about his admiration for the Argentina captain and revealed how difficult it is to imagine that he could actually find himself on the same pitch as one of football’s greatest-ever players.

“When you’ve grown up watching Messi play, finding yourself on the same pitch as him is bound to be a special moment; we never imagined this could happen.

“He’s a legend, the king of world football. The idea that he might play his final match against Benin is unimaginable. Honestly, experiencing it will be a special moment, the sort you never forget in a career. It’s already incredibly moving just to see him on the telly, so to be on the same pitch…”

The possibility of Messi making what could potentially be his final appearance against Benin has added another layer of excitement to the fixture, although his participation and the significance of the match will depend on Argentina’s plans at the time.

For Allagbé, simply having the opportunity to share the field with a player he has watched and admired throughout his career would represent a dream moment.

Despite the personal emotions surrounding the encounter, the Benin goalkeeper insists that he and his teammates will not allow the occasion to distract them from their responsibilities.

Allagbé stressed that once the referee gets the game underway, the Cheetahs must put their admiration for Messi and the magnitude of the occasion to one side and concentrate on representing their country.

“We’ll be there to defend our country, the colours of Benin. Once the match starts, we’ll have to put our emotions aside and stay focused on our objective.”

The encounter is therefore expected to provide Benin with a rare opportunity to test themselves against one of the strongest national teams in world football, while also giving the Cheetahs a chance to create a historic moment of their own at the iconic Estadio Monumental.

For Allagbé and his teammates, the challenge will be to turn their excitement into concentration when they face the world champions in Buenos Aires.