Argentina did not allow shirt swaps or photos after Messi's final game, says Benin coach
Following Argentina's friendly against Benin, widely regarded as Lionel Messi's last appearance for the national team, Benin head coach Gernot Rohr disclosed that the Argentine squad declined post-match shirt swaps and photo opportunities with their opponents. The unusual request reflects the scale of the occasion around Messi's farewell, with the Argentine delegation reportedly seeking to preserve the moment internally. The friendly served as a low-key send-off in contrast to the global attention surrounding Messi's international career.
Read the full story at nytimes.comThe fact that Argentina's delegation declined the traditional post-match rituals of shirt swaps and photos underscores just how significant this fixture was framed as a farewell for Messi. Benin coach Rohr's public comments add a telling detail to the story of Messi's international goodbye, highlighting how the occasion was managed with unusual privacy by the Argentine camp. For the wider football world, it confirms that the match was treated as a closing chapter rather than just another friendly.
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Data source: nytimes.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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