Benin head coach Gernot Rohr during an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa says it is a “big honor” for his team to provide the opposition for Lionel Messi’s final international appearance with Argentina.
The world champions face the West African nation in an international friendly, marking the end of Messi’s distinguished career with La Albiceleste.
Rohr, who previously managed Nigeria against Messi at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, insists the fixture represents a unique development opportunity for his squad despite the defensive challenge ahead.
“Yes, it’s a big honor for us and also for me like a coach to play this last game of Leo Messi in his national team,” Rohr told Footy-Africa.
“Myself, I could play twice with Nigeria against Argentina, and in the second game at the World Cup, he gave me his jersey. So, it’s wonderful to see him again, and this time now, I will ask him the signature because he did not last time.”
‘His left foot is like a hand’
Reflecting on the technical attributes of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, the former Bordeaux and Gabon manager paid tribute to Messi’s unique skillset.
“To come back to Lionel Messi, the special player he was, what’s with his creativity, with his left foot—it’s like a hand, he could do everything with his left foot,” Rohr added. “His quickness, also, and the efficiency in front of the goal. These were very, very, very special qualities of this big player.”
Argentina enter the fixture in prolific form following a 6–0 victory against Burkina Faso, leaving Rohr acutely aware of the tactical demands facing his young team.
“And, of course, for all the team, it’s a fantastic opportunity to do this last game,” said Rohr. “They will learn, have a young team. They will have a look on everything, the preparation from the opponent. Today, we saw the game against Burkina Faso, 6–0. It’s a high-level team, so my young people will learn a lot, and I hope not to concede so many goals.”
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Focus on competitive qualifiers
Despite the occasion, Rohr revealed that members of his backroom staff raised initial concerns regarding the distraction the fixture might pose from Benin’s competitive schedule.
“My players from Benin were very excited to hear that we can do this game,” he explained. “I accepted it. Some of my people told me, ‘Oh, it’s dangerous, because everybody will think of the last game of the FIFA window, and forget that we have two very important games to play in Burkina Faso and against Mauritania.’ So, I said, ‘No, no, no, no, we will speak about it only later.'”
Rohr emphasized that Benin’s invitation to participate in the match stems from the national team’s disciplined style of play.
“Yes, for Benin, it’s a big honor also to play against Argentina and to be invited. I think that invited us also for our good reputation of fair play and trying to make a good football. The most important message for my boys is to do everything to be on the right level against this team, not to concede a big defeat, and play good football, and to defend very well against these fantastic strikers they have. They scored seven goals against Burkina today.”
Looking beyond Messi’s international retirement, the German coach expressed confidence in Argentina’s long-term future.
“Yes, I think that Messi will be replaced, huh?” Rohr concluded. “They have big players: Lautaro Martinez scoring a lot of goals. They have other big players, young players now, I see, in this big football country. One day, will have again a new star, I’m sure about it.”
