Benin defender vows to take Messi’s shirt as Argentina bid farewell

Argentina will face Benin on Wednesday evening at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with the match devoted entirely to Lionel Messi’s farewell from the national side. The Argentine captain will play his final international as the Guépards’ Mohamed Tijani vows to claim the superstar’s shirt.

Benin defender vows Messi’s shirt

Mohamed Tijani, the Benin defender, has already promised to take Lionel Messi’s shirt after the game. “Je repartirai avec le maillot de Messi, je le jure sur la vie de ma mère,” he told Diario Olé, adding he will approach the Argentine with “Écoute, je t’adore beaucoup. Donne‑moi ton maillot.” Tijani, who has one goal in 17 caps, calls the chance “incroyable”.

He also declared, “On n’a pas besoin de se préparer pour ce match, on va juste en profiter. On n’a pas le choix,” emphasizing the festive mood. QUE his ambition is clear, he plans to seize the moment.

The match will be staged at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with tickets sold out. Kick‑off is set for Wednesday evening at 21:00 GMT, under the stadium’s floodlights.

For Argentina, the fixture is a tribute to Lionel Messi, who will retire from international duty after the game. The Argentine captain will wear the number ten for the final time, and the squad says it will play with freedom to let the legend enjoy his last minutes.

Both sides expect a celebratory atmosphere, with fans gathering to witness what could become a historic night. As the 21:00 GMT whistle approaches, anticipation builds across the stadium.