"We tried everything": Gernot Rohr on his players' frustration after Argentina v Benin

Following the international friendly between the Albiceleste and the Cheetahs, played on Wednesday 7 October in Buenos Aires to mark Lionel Messi’s farewell, Benin’s head coach spoke about what went on behind the scenes.

Gernot Rohr regrets that he and his team were unable to spend any time with the Argentine players. According to the manager, the Beninese players made several attempts to capture the moment but were unsuccessful. Despite this disappointment, Gernot Rohr highlights the exceptional nature of the match, which Argentina won 3–0.

“It was too difficult; we tried.

“That was the only downside of the evening: they didn’t give us anything. Not a single photo. We couldn’t even get into their changing room corridor.

“My player Tijani, a big Messi fan, had given a present before the match. We tried everything, a bouquet of flowers in the colours of Benin, but we got nothing in return. Otherwise, it was extraordinary.

“For my players, who are young, but for me too. In Benin, nobody ever thought we’d play against Argentina one day.”