Lionel Messi’s expected final appearance in Argentina’s famous sky-blue and white shirt has generated enormous interest among football supporters around the world. For Benin’s players, being involved in such a match is a rare opportunity in itself, particularly against one of the most celebrated figures in the history of the sport.
Yet admiration will have no place once the match begins, according to Benin goalkeeper Marcel Djinou. The Kruger United goalkeeper has made it clear that he will not give Messi or Argentina anything for free. His responsibility, he says, is straightforward: keep the ball out of his goal and compete for Benin.
Argentina are due to face Benin at 5am Bangladesh time on Wednesday. The fixture has taken on added significance because of the expectation surrounding Messi’s farewell to international football in the familiar Argentina colours. For the Argentine supporters, it is likely to be an emotional occasion. For Benin, however, it is also a competitive football match in which they intend to test themselves against one of the world’s leading sides.
Djinou, who plays in South Africa’s Premier Division for Kruger United, spoke after arriving in Buenos Aires. His comments came amid reports questioning whether Benin had encountered difficulties with their preparations, including alleged problems involving electricity, water and training facilities at their accommodation.
The goalkeeper dismissed those reports, insisting that the squad were comfortable and had not experienced the problems being suggested.
For Djinou, the chance to face Messi is undeniably special. He has grown up watching the Argentine star and regards him as a living legend of the game. Sharing a pitch with a player he once watched from afar is something he admits he never expected to experience.
But the occasion will not change his priorities.
Djinou said the match was different from an ordinary fixture because of Messi’s anticipated final appearance, but stressed that representing Benin remained the greater responsibility. The team, he explained, had travelled to Argentina to compete rather than simply enjoy the occasion.
His attitude is particularly clear when it comes to the possibility of Messi taking a penalty. Asked whether he would attempt to save it if Argentina were awarded a spot-kick in the final minutes and Messi stepped forward, Djinou gave an emphatic answer.
He would try to stop it.
The goalkeeper’s reasoning is simple. A goalkeeper’s job is to prevent goals, regardless of the identity of the player taking the shot or the circumstances surrounding the match. Messi’s farewell may deserve celebration, but Djinou does not believe Benin should help create that celebration by allowing him to score.
In fact, he suggested that Messi himself would not expect such generosity. If the Argentine captain wants to score in what could be his final appearance, he should have to earn it on the pitch.
The admiration for Messi within the Benin camp is nevertheless genuine. Djinou joked that virtually every player in his squad would like to obtain Messi’s shirt after the match. With so much competition among teammates for the prized souvenir, he jokingly suggested that organisers should provide enough Messi shirts for everyone.
Behind the humour is the significance of the occasion. Players who have spent much of their careers watching Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominate the highest levels of world football now have the chance to face one of them directly. For younger generations of footballers, the pair have been defining figures, shaping how attacking football and individual excellence are viewed.
Djinou was also unwilling to reduce the debate over football’s greatest player to Messi alone. He mentioned Ronaldo alongside the Argentine, pointing to the extraordinary longevity and sustained excellence of both men.
For the Benin goalkeeper, Messi remains one of the greatest players football has ever produced, and one of the sport’s true kings. Respect, however, will end where competition begins.
When the match kicks off, Djinou’s focus will be on his goal rather than Messi’s farewell. The occasion may belong emotionally to the Argentine superstar, but Benin intend to ensure that their opponents still have to fight for every goal.
