Argentina v Benin: Mohamed Tijani vows to leave with Lionel Messi’s shirt

Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina will dominate Wednesday’s meeting with Benin, but Mohamed Tijani is determined to ensure the occasion also brings him a personal memento.

The Benin defender, who has scored once in 17 international appearances, is relishing the opportunity to feature in what is expected to be Messi’s last match for the national team.

“We do not need to prepare for this match, we are just going to enjoy it. We have no choice,” Tijani told Diario Ole.

“I will leave with Messi’s shirt, I swear on my mother’s life,” he added with a broad smile.

Tijani has already decided how he will approach the Argentina captain after the match.

“I will go and see Messi and say to him: ‘Listen, I adore you very much. Give me your shirt.’”

The match is scheduled to begin at 21:00 GMT on Wednesday at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with the stadium sold out.

For Argentina, the fixture is set to be centred on bidding farewell to Messi, who will make his final international appearance against the Guepards.