Gernot Rohr: Benin ready for ‘special’ Argentina meeting as Lionel Messi prepares for farewell

Benin will face Argentina at the Estadio Monumental de Buenos Aires in the night from Tuesday into Wednesday, in a match expected to mark Lionel Messi’s final appearance for the Albiceleste.

The fixture has created a major occasion for the Guepards, although their preparations have been disrupted by a difficult journey and staggered arrivals. Benin head coach Gernot Rohr said the squad had travelled to Argentina via Paris after their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Mauritania in Abidjan, because Benin currently has no approved stadium.

“It’s not easy, because not everyone arrived at the same time,” Rohr said.

Transport problems meant members of the delegation reached Argentina in small groups between Thursday and Monday, with three players only joining up on Monday. The coach acknowledged the impact of the long journey, fatigue and the time difference, but said the team were delighted to be in the country.

Rohr also confirmed there had been some issues with the team’s hotel, including a lack of hot water in certain rooms, a fitness room that was too small and modest training facilities.

“There are small problems in some rooms, but everything is being done to resolve them,” he said. “We are not going to complain. We have been welcomed very well by the Argentines.”

The match will be played in front of a sold-out crowd, with 85,000 tickets having been sold. For Benin, the opportunity to face one of the world’s leading national teams in a famous stadium has been made even more significant by Messi’s expected farewell in Argentina’s sky-blue and white shirt.

The players earned their place on the trip with a positive international window. Rohr had told them they needed to be impeccable in their two qualifying matches if they wanted to be selected for Argentina.

Benin began by taking a point from a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso before beating Mauritania 2-1 in Abidjan. Their four-point return leaves them satisfied, although Rohr said they would need to maintain that form in November, when they face the Central African Republic twice.

Many of the Benin players have never played against Messi, whom Rohr described as one of the greatest footballers in history. The coach said they were particularly excited because they admired the Argentina captain and regarded him as an exceptional player.

“It is a great joy for them,” Rohr said. “We are very happy to be here for what promises to be a very special moment for football, and not only for the Argentines, who will celebrate Messi.”

He added that Benin would aim to compete properly rather than simply take part in the occasion.

“We will do everything to play well and rise to the event. Benin wants to make a good impression and provide strong opposition,” he said.

Rohr believes the experience will benefit his squad regardless of the result.

“For Benin, facing a world-class team is an opportunity,” he said. “We are going to learn a lot from it. The journey was long and complicated, but in the end this will help us greatly.”