Benin defender Mohamed Tijani has admitted his side have no special plan to contain Lionel Messi when they face Argentina, with the match expected to mark the superstar’s final appearance for his country.
Tijani and several Benin players were spotted shopping in Buenos Aires ahead of Wednesday’s farewell fixture. The centre-back was carrying an Argentina-themed yerba mate cup he had bought for his children when an Argentine outlet asked him about Messi.
“He’s the best in the world,” Tijani told C5N.
Benin, ranked 89th in the world, face the challenge of containing Messi in what is expected to be an emotional occasion at the Estadio Monumental.
But Tijani offered a remarkably relaxed response when asked how his side planned to defend against the Argentina captain.
“We shouldn’t mark Messi,” he said. “We are going to enjoy this match. There’s no special plan to defend against Messi. We just have to enjoy this game, and that’s it.”
Tijani’s admiration for Messi was clear throughout the interview.
“I’m going to look at him like this. Messi, you are the God. To me, he’s the best in the world,” he said.
Benin’s team doctor also joined the conversation and echoed the defender’s praise for Argentina’s captain.
“He’s the best in the world! He’s the God of football!” the doctor said.
The fixture has a particular significance for Benin because of the opportunity to face one of the most decorated players in football history. For Messi, meanwhile, the match is expected to bring his Argentina career to a close.
