‘He’s The God’: Benin Have No Plan To Stop Messi

Benin defender Mohamed Tijani says his side have no special plan to stop Lionel Messi when Argentina face Benin in what is being billed as the Argentine legend’s farewell international appearance in Buenos Aires.

Asked how Benin intend to deal with Messi, Tijani jokingly dismissed the idea of a specific plan, instead urging everyone to enjoy the occasion.

‘How are we going to mark Messi? We don’t need to. Let’s enjoy this match, there’s no plan. He’s the God!’ Tijani said.

The match is expected to provide an emotional farewell for Messi in front of his home fans, with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni revealing that he pushed for the fixture to be played during the current international window.

Scaloni said he wanted to be part of Messi’s farewell and believes a player of his stature deserves the opportunity to say goodbye properly.

‘We knew everything he was going through, and yet he put in the desire and effort to come and say goodbye with his people, with the people who love him so much,’ Scaloni said.

Argentina enter the occasion after recording big friendly victories over Bolivia and Burkina Faso, although Messi did not feature in either match.

With the focus firmly on Messi, Tijani’s message is clear: Benin are not looking to devise a complicated formula for the occasion.