Benin goalkeeper Marcel has made it clear his side will not simply play a supporting role in Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell, insisting they are in Buenos Aires to compete rather than hand the forward a goal.
Messi is expected to make his final Argentina appearance against Benin on Wednesday, but Marcel told Spanish newspaper Marca that the occasion will carry a different significance for the African side.
“We are here to defend Benin. This is football: eleven players against eleven. We can win, or draw, or they can win, but it is football. We are not here to be tourists in Argentina; we are here to play and to compete. It will be a great day in our lives.”
The goalkeeper also dismissed claims that Benin had struggled with their preparations because of problems with hotel facilities, including a lack of light and water and difficulties training.
“We did not face any problems. We are fine here in Buenos Aires. Why do you say that? The truth is that we have had good conditions,” he said.
Marcel admitted Messi’s farewell makes the fixture extraordinary, particularly for players who grew up watching the Argentine.
“For me, this match is not like any other match. I think it is an opportunity that will not come again, because it is Messi’s last match. It is a special match. But, look, we are here for Argentina and for Messi, but we must not forget that we represent our country too.”
Yet he rejected any suggestion that Benin would help Messi score.
Asked whether he would deliberately allow a late penalty from Messi to go in, Marcel was unequivocal.
“No, no. I am a goalkeeper, and my job is to save the ball. Even if it is the final minute and a penalty is awarded, if Messi takes it, I will try to save it. It is that simple: it is football.”
He added: “Yes, we are here to celebrate Messi, but no one has asked us to give him a goal. And knowing Messi, there is no need to give him anything. If he wants to score, he has to do his best to achieve it.”
Marcel still holds Messi in enormous admiration, calling him “one of football’s legends” and “one of its kings”.
He also joked that every Benin player would want Messi’s shirt after the match.
“It would be great if they made a lot of shirts and gave one to each player,” he said.
For Marcel, however, the biggest prize will be the memory of sharing the pitch with Messi.
“It would be a great honour for me to play, and that memory will remain engraved in my mind forever. During my career I will be able to say: I was there, in the last match of a legend, in Messi’s last match. It is incredible.”
