Benin Denied Access to Messi and Argentine Dressing Room in 'Scandalous' Treatment

Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Wednesday will be remembered for the wrong reasons. Behind the festive atmosphere of Lionel Messi’s final match in the albiceleste shirt, the conditions imposed on the Beninese delegation quickly sparked controversy.

According to reports from the Beninese camp, players from the African selection were barred from taking any photos with Lionel Messi, exchanging shirts, and accessing the Argentine dressing room. The Beninese Football Federation reportedly attempted behind-the-scenes negotiations to obtain the Argentine players’ kits, without success.

These revelations provoked outraged reactions, notably from Héloïse Kane, a former 100m hurdles specialist turned sports commentator. “It’s a scandal. I’m beyond outraged. We’re talking about a country that has a systemic racism problem, that invites a country for a friendly match, and doesn’t even treat them properly,” she said.

Kane also placed the incident in a broader context. “Historically, African teams are constantly denigrated. That’s a fact. And we can go even further: Black people, historically, have been used their whole lives. It’s a subject. And here, we’re still using an African team as a foil for Messi. The least they could do is let them access Messi and a dressing room. I’m truly outraged.”

The commentator also recalled that Argentina would not be “on its first attempt” when it comes to unequal treatment of its opponents, arguing that the country “gets away with everything.” At the time of publication, the Argentine Football Association had not issued an official response.