“Messi, give me your shirt”: a Beninese defender’s wild promise ahead of Argentina v Benin

Benin will face Argentina on 7 October in an international friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Having been selected for Gernot Rohr’s squad for this unprecedented fixture, Mohamed Tijani is set to experience a special moment. The Beninese defender makes no secret of his enthusiasm at the prospect of facing Lionel Messi.

Mohamed Tijani intends to make the most of this unique opportunity and feels no need to make any special preparations. The Beninese player has a very specific goal: to leave Buenos Aires with the Argentine star’s shirt.

The Benin Cheetahs defender makes no secret of his admiration for the 2022 World Cup winner.

“I’ve been called up to face Argentina in Messi’s farewell match. We don’t even need to prepare for this match. We just want to enjoy it. That’s all.

Believe me, I’ll be leaving with Messi’s shirt. I swear on my mother’s life.

I’ll go up to him and say: ‘Messi, look: I love you so much, give me your shirt.’

Messi is the best player in the world.”

The match on 7 October is therefore set to be a particularly eagerly anticipated one for Mohamed Tijani, who may have the chance to make his dream come true.