By Kate Gaduna
Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Benin defender Mohamed Tijani has perfectly captured the unusual mood surrounding Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina, joking that his team has no special plan to stop the legendary No.10 — they simply want to enjoy the moment.
Asked how Benin would deal with Messi, Tijani laughed: “How will we mark Lionel Messi? We don’t need to mark him. Let’s enjoy this match. There’s no plan. HE’S THE GOD OF FOOTBALL!” The defender’s words reflect the enormous respect Messi still commands, even from the opponents preparing to face him.
For Benin, this is more than another international match. The West African nation has been given the extraordinary honour of becoming the final opponent of Messi’s Argentina career. After years of unforgettable moments in the famous blue and white shirt, the Argentine superstar is preparing to bring his international journey to an emotional close.
There is also an interesting African connection to Argentina’s recent international schedule. The world champions have faced a number of African nations in recent years, including Angola, Mauritania, Zambia, Burkina Faso and now Benin. Each encounter has offered African players the opportunity to test themselves against one of football’s greatest national teams, but the Benin match carries a completely different significance because of Messi’s farewell.
For Tijani and his teammates, this is therefore a moment to remember for the rest of their careers. They will have the opportunity to share the pitch with a player who has won the World Cup, Copa América titles and almost every major individual honour available to him.
Messi’s final international appearance also brings to an end one of the greatest chapters in Argentina’s football history. From the disappointment of earlier years to the Copa América triumphs and ultimately the 2022 World Cup victory, Messi transformed his relationship with the national team and cemented his place among Argentina’s greatest sporting icons.
And perhaps Tijani’s message sums up what this occasion means for Benin better than anything else: don’t just try to stop Messi — enjoy the privilege of playing against him
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