Benin defender Tijani Mohamed says he intends to enjoy Lionel Messi’s final international match for Argentina rather than concentrate entirely on stopping the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Argentina and Benin will meet at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, where more than 85,000 supporters are expected to gather for what is being billed as Messi’s farewell appearance for the national team.
Mohamed admitted that facing one of football’s greatest players is an occasion he wants to appreciate rather than simply treat as a defensive assignment.
“You don’t mark Messi. We’re just going to enjoy the match. I’m going to look at him and think: ‘Messi, you are God,’” the Benin defender told C5N.
The defender also described Messi as the best player in the world and said he would even be happy to see Argentina win the match.
Messi is set to end a 21-year international career after making 207 appearances and scoring 125 goals for Argentina.
During that time, the 39-year-old has collected some of the biggest honours available to him, including the 2022 World Cup.
For Mohamed and Benin, the occasion presents an opportunity to share the pitch with a player who has had a major influence on world football.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the challenge of containing Messi, Mohamed appears keen to take in the experience of playing against the Argentine captain in front of a huge home crowd.
The match is expected to carry particular significance for Argentina supporters as Messi prepares to bring his international career to a close.
Benin’s preparations for the fixture have not been straightforward.
The team faced a 23-hour journey as well as accommodation problems during the build-up to the match.
Despite those difficulties, Mohamed said the players remain determined to make the occasion memorable and ensure Messi’s farewell takes place as planned.
“We’re going to give it our all to ensure this celebration goes perfectly,” he added.
Mohamed’s comments underline the unusual nature of the fixture, with the Benin defender appearing to place the significance of Messi’s farewell alongside the competitive demands of the game.
The defender also summed up his feelings about the occasion by expressing his desire to obtain Messi’s final Argentina shirt bearing the famous number 10.
For Argentina, the match provides the backdrop for the conclusion of Messi’s international journey.
His 207 appearances and 125 goals have made him a central figure in the national team’s history, while the 2022 World Cup victory remains one of the defining achievements of his career.
Benin, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to test themselves against the world champions while participating in an occasion centred on one of football’s most recognisable figures.
