Dandjinou Targets Messi Penalty Save in Argentina Finale

Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has ruled out any farewell favour for Lionel Messi, insisting he will attempt to save a penalty from Argentina’s captain even if it arrives in the final minute of Messi’s last home appearance for the Albiceleste.

Argentina are preparing to honour Messi after his decision to end his international career on 125 goals from 207 caps, but Dandjinou says Benin have travelled to Buenos Aires to compete rather than stage-manage the occasion. The 28-year-old has called the friendly a rare chance to face one of football’s defining figures, while making clear his responsibilities will not change once the game begins.

“It is a special occasion and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because it is Messi’s final match,” Dandjinou said. “But we are representing Benin. It is 11 against 11 and any result is possible. We have not come here as tourists; we have come to play.”

Messi enters the match after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, his final competitive international outing. The prospect of a scripted goal in his send-off has dominated the build-up, particularly if Argentina are awarded a late spot-kick. Dandjinou, though, has no intention of stepping aside.

“My job as a goalkeeper is to make saves,” he said. “If he takes a penalty at the end, I will try to stop it. That is football.”

Benin will not offer Messi a gift

Dandjinou believes Messi’s standing means he needs no assistance from an opponent. He said Benin are happy to join the celebration of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but only while treating him as the dangerous forward he remains. If Messi is to score, the goalkeeper said, he will have to earn it himself.

The former Barcelona forward led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and successive Copa America triumphs, while his long rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo shaped the era in which Dandjinou grew up. The Benin international placed Messi among the game’s elite, describing him as one of football’s “kings” alongside Ronaldo.

There may be less resistance after the final whistle. Dandjinou admitted Benin’s entire squad would like Messi’s No. 10 shirt, joking that Argentina would need to provide enough jerseys for every visiting player to leave with one.