Benin goalkeeper warns Messi: no gifts for his final Argentina match

Lionel Messi will play his final match with Argentina on Tuesday evening at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, facing Benin, in a friendly match with strong symbolic significance. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, 39, announced his international retirement a few weeks ago, following the 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain (0-1, a.e.t.).

This farewell to the Albiceleste comes in a painful context for Messi: the final defeat, followed by the death of his father shortly after, led him to end his international career to fully dedicate himself to Inter Miami. “I have always fought and given everything for this shirt,” he had declared on August 31. “I have nothing more to give and very talented young players, who deserve to be here, are coming up behind me.”

But while the Argentine people hope to see their idol score one last goal in the blue and white jersey, Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has already laid out the terms of the duel. “My role is to stop shots. Even if it’s the last minute and there’s a penalty, if Messi takes it, I’ll try to stop it,” he stated in Marca.

Dandjinou was keen to clarify his thinking, without animosity but with disarming clarity: “It’s that simple: it’s football. Yes, we’re here to celebrate Messi, but nobody told us we had to give him a goal. And knowing Messi, we don’t need to give him gifts. If he wants to score, he’ll have to do everything to achieve it.”

A stance that, far from tarnishing the evening, gives it added sporting dignity. For Messi, 2022 World Cup champion and record goalscorer for his country, this final challenge against the opposing goal ultimately sums up an entire career: nothing has ever been handed to him.