Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7-0 at the Monumental on Sunday, but the match was overshadowed by criticism of the circumstances surrounding the African side’s arrival and selection.
Lionel Messi was absent as Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone scored for Argentina. Burkina Faso’s Moumouni Diallo also put through his own net.
Burkina Faso faced Argentina with a largely under-23 squad after the delegation arrived in Buenos Aires only a few hours before kick-off. The lack of preparation made an already difficult task even harder against the World Cup runners-up.
Messi is now set to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin on Tuesday, 6 October, at the Monumental. The match is scheduled to serve as his official farewell to the national team.
Young Burkina Faso players thrown into major challenge
French journalist Romain Molina outlined the circumstances behind the friendly, saying Burkina Faso were forced to field 13 players making their international debuts.
A logistical crisis reportedly led several established players to refuse to travel on the flight from Morocco. As a result, a group of young footballers were placed in one of the most demanding matches available against a side featuring some of the world’s leading players.
Molina wrote on X that several of the Burkina Faso players had embarked on the “adventure of a lifetime” after finding themselves facing the World Cup runners-up at the Monumental. Some, he said, did not even have professional contracts.
The Burkina Faso delegation arrived in Argentina less than six hours before the match after a journey lasting about 12 hours. The young squad was then required to take on Argentina almost immediately.
“Whatever the result, this experience will remain etched in these players’ memories forever,” Molina said.
He criticised both the Argentine and Burkina Faso football associations, arguing that Argentina supporters had paid to watch a strong African national team rather than a young side that had only just completed its journey and included non-professional players.
Molina said those responsible should have faced “sanctions and resignations”, describing the situation as “organisational chaos”.
“I feel sorry for these young players. What could they do against the World Cup runners-up in such circumstances?” he added.
