Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has made it clear that admiration for Lionel Messi will not stop him from trying to deny the Argentine superstar a goal when the two teams meet in Buenos Aires.
Dandjinou spoke ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly between Argentina and Benin at the Estadio Monumental, a match that carries unusual significance because it is expected to be Messi’s farewell appearance for Argentina on home soil. While the Benin players have openly acknowledged the historic nature of the occasion, Dandjinou said his responsibility remains the same: to protect his goal and compete for his country.
“For me, this match isn’t like any other. I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, because it’s Messi’s last match. It’s a special game,” Dandjinou said in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for South African club Kruger United, said the occasion was important not only because of Messi but also because of what it represented for Benin. He rejected the idea that the West African side had travelled to Argentina simply to participate in a celebration of the home team’s most famous player.
“We’re here for Argentina and for Messi, but we mustn’t forget that we also represent our country. We’re here to defend Benin,” he said. “We’re not here to be tourists in Argentina; we’re here to play and compete.”
His comments have attracted attention because they capture the unusual balance surrounding the fixture. Benin’s players are preparing to face one of the most decorated footballers in history during an emotionally charged occasion, yet they are also expected to approach the match as a competitive international fixture.
For Dandjinou, that means there can be no special treatment for Messi once the game begins. Asked whether he would allow the Argentine captain to score if Messi won a late penalty, the goalkeeper gave a direct answer.
“I am a goalkeeper, and my role is to stop shots. Even if it’s the last minute and there is a penalty, if Messi takes it, I will try to stop it. It’s as simple as that: it’s football,” he said.
He went further, saying Benin had not been instructed to give Messi a goal as part of his farewell.
“Yes, we are here to celebrate Messi, but nobody told us that we had to gift him a goal. And knowing Messi, you don’t need to give him any gifts. If he wants to score, he will have to do everything possible to achieve it,” Dandjinou said.
The comments were not an attack on Messi. On the contrary, Dandjinou spoke warmly about the Argentine captain and described him as one of the kings of football. He said he and his teammates had grown up watching Messi and that facing him on the same pitch was an opportunity they had never expected to receive.
That admiration is shared by other members of the Benin squad. Defender Mohamed Tijani has also spoken enthusiastically about the opportunity to play against Messi, describing the Argentine as a footballing icon. The reactions from the Benin camp underline the extraordinary nature of the occasion for a team that will be facing Argentina in front of a huge home crowd.
Dandjinou, however, appears determined to ensure that the significance of Messi’s farewell does not turn Benin into passive participants. His message is simple: respect the legend, enjoy the moment, but compete.
The match is also expected to be emotionally significant for Argentina. Messi’s relationship with the national team has gone through dramatic changes over his more than two-decade international career. He faced criticism during the early stages of his Argentina career, particularly after major tournament disappointments, before eventually becoming the central figure in one of the most successful periods in the country’s modern football history.
His transformation was sealed by a run of major triumphs, including Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Those victories changed the way many Argentine supporters viewed the player who had once been compared unfavourably with previous national icons.
Now, as Argentina prepares to honour Messi at the Monumental, attention will inevitably centre on whether the captain can add another memorable moment to his farewell.
For Benin, however, the challenge is not to provide a ceremonial backdrop. The team has its own objectives, and Dandjinou’s comments suggest the players intend to protect their reputation by competing seriously from the opening whistle.
There is also a personal incentive for the Benin players. Dandjinou revealed that many members of the squad would love to leave the occasion with Messi’s shirt as a lasting souvenir. He joked that if everyone wanted one, Argentina would have to prepare enough shirts for the entire Benin team.
The goalkeeper’s comments have therefore created an interesting storyline ahead of the match. Argentina will be celebrating one of the greatest chapters in its football history, while Benin will attempt to ensure that the farewell does not become a one-sided celebration.
For Messi, the night is about legacy, memories and the emotional connection with Argentine supporters. For Dandjinou, it is also a test of his ability to stand between the posts against a player whose career has been defined by finding ways through seemingly impossible defences.
Whether Messi scores or Dandjinou manages to deny him, the goalkeeper has already made his position clear. He respects the occasion, respects the player and understands the privilege of being part of it. But when the referee starts the match, sentiment will have to wait.
Benin did not travel to Buenos Aires simply to watch Messi say goodbye. Dandjinou’s message is that the Cheetahs intend to play their part in the occasion by competing, defending and, if necessary, trying to deny Messi the farewell goal many supporters will hope to see.
The final word from the Benin goalkeeper is perhaps the simplest description of the contest: it is football. And in football, even a farewell to a legend does not guarantee a gift.
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