.jpg "Benin GK Marcel Dandjinou: No Easy Goals for Messi in Final Match")
Marcel Dandjinou Rejects Free Goals for Lionel Messi in Upcoming Argentina Farewell Match
Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou stated that his team will not allow Lionel Messi an easy path to the scoresheet during the upcoming international friendly in Buenos Aires. The fixture marks Messi’s final home match for the Albiceleste following his decision to retire from international football, concluding a career that includes 125 goals in 207 caps and a World Cup title alongside back-to-back Copa America championships. While global attention focuses on celebrating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Dandjinou emphasized that the visiting squad plans to compete fully rather than act as spectators.
Defiant Stance Against Late Penalties and Handouts
Public speculation ahead of the match centered on whether visiting players might offer Messi a clear scoring opportunity or a late penalty kick to secure a storybook ending. Dandjinou dismissed that scenario during an interview with Marca, explaining that his professional responsibilities as a goalkeeper override ceremonial considerations. “No, no. I am a goalkeeper, and my role is to stop shots. Even if it’s the last minute and there is a penalty, if Messi takes it, I will try to stop it. It’s as simple as that: it’s football,” Dandjinou said. He added that the Argentine captain’s legendary status makes gifts unnecessary, noting that if Messi wants to score, he will have to earn it through direct competition.
Representing Benin on the International Stage
Dandjinou framed the fixture as a historic opportunity for the Beninese squad while stressing national pride. “We’re here for Argentina and for Messi, but we mustn’t forget that we also represent our country. We’re here to defend Benin,” Dandjinou stated. The 28-year-old goalkeeper acknowledged that sharing the pitch with one of the sport’s definitive figures is a once-in-a-lifetime event, but reiterated that the match remains a standard eleven-versus-eleven contest where both sides enter to win, draw, or lose.
Locker Room Demand for the Iconic Number Ten Jersey
Beyond the tactical battle on the pitch, Dandjinou addressed the expected post-match scramble for Messi’s famous number 10 jersey. Every member of the Benin team hopes to secure the shirt after the final whistle. “If you ask anyone on my team, they all want their jersey. So it would be great if they made a lot of jerseys and gave one to each player,” Dandjinou joked. He noted that without extra jerseys, securing the item will prove difficult because every player wants a personal keepsake from the forward’s farewell appearance.
Reflecting on the Era-Defining Rivalry
Addressing the broader debate surrounding football history, Dandjinou placed Messi among the game’s ultimate royalty while reflecting on the generation-defining competition between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “We grew up watching Messi and Cristiano. They’ve both taught us so much about football. They’ve been competing for a very long time,” Dandjinou remarked. For the Beninese shot-stopper, the Argentine maestro remains one of the supreme kings of the sport as the international sporting community prepares to watch him wear the Albiceleste colors for the final time.