Kruger United goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou reflects on Messi farewell match

Benin international Marcel Dandjinou will return to Kruger United training on Monday after a memorable but ultimately frustrating international break that included facing Lionel Messi and Argentina in the forward’s farewell match.

The game took place in the early hours of Wednesday at the Estadio Monumental, where Messi scored Argentina’s third and final goal in front of a crowd of more than 85,000.

Dandjinou played 76 minutes before travelling back to South Africa. He arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday and then made his way to Mpumalanga, where Kruger United are based.

The 28-year-old is set to take part in his first training session with the club on Monday, having recently shared the pitch with Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo de Paul, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

“There were more than 85 000 fans in the stadium, which was a first for me, so it will always remain a significant moment in my career,” Dandjinou told KickOff.com.

“I heard that there were more people watching that match across the world than those who watched the World Cup final.”

Dandjinou takes lessons from Argentina experience

The match offered Dandjinou more than the chance to play in front of a huge audience. From his position on the pitch, the goalkeeper was able to study how some of the world’s leading players approach the game.

“For me, playing against the best players in the world, I got to have a close-up experience of what it means to compete with them and what close concentration means,” he said.

“I got a further appreciation of how small details decide games, moving the ball quickly, seeing them play easy and not complicating their play. They know what to do at the right moment which shows that they plan very well but they are human after all.”

Dandjinou now wants to apply those lessons to Kruger United’s domestic campaign, with the club needing to improve after a difficult start.

“Now is the time to take all that I learnt there back to benefit my club here in the league,” he said.

“Let me see what positives that experience of playing at the highest level brings because we need to move up the standings as we didn’t start too well.”

However, the occasion ended on a disappointing note for Dandjinou and his team-mates. Despite travelling to celebrate Messi, they were unable to meet him properly after the final whistle.

“I didn’t appreciate what happened after the game,” he said.

“We couldn’t take pictures with Messi after the game or even exchange the jersey. We went there to celebrate Messi but didn’t take a picture with him.

“There was no chance to take a picture with Messi, and one of my teammates tried but was blocked.

“The whole experience was sour in the end because of the security arrangement.”