Benin Republic assistant coach Tunde Adelakun has criticised Argentina’s handling of his team after the international friendly that marked Lionel Messi’s farewell from international football, describing the experience as a disappointing end to what should have been a memorable occasion.

Adelakun, in a reflection published by The African Football Club, alleged that Argentina’s players showed little interest in interacting with their Benin counterparts after the match, while security operatives prevented the African players from approaching Messi.

The encounter at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires ended in a 3-0 victory for Argentina, with Messi scoring a penalty and contributing two assists in his final appearance for the national team.

However, the occasion left Adelakun with mixed feelings, particularly over what he described as the rejection of Benin players who had hoped to celebrate the career of one of football’s most celebrated figures.

“What struck me was the very obvious and blatant refusal of the Argentina team to want to have anything to do with my team after the game,” Adelakun wrote.

He said the post-match handshakes were hurried and impersonal, while attempts by Benin players to approach Messi were rebuffed by security personnel.

“Handshakes at the end of the game were hurried and impersonal,” he added, describing the experience as “rather disturbing.”

Adelakun’s account suggested that the disappointment extended beyond the immediate post-match exchanges, with Benin players also hoping to see Messi during his farewell lap of honour.

According to the assistant coach, some of his players positioned themselves along what they believed would be Messi’s natural route around the pitch, hoping to applaud him and acknowledge his contribution to football.

He alleged, however, that Messi changed direction at the last moment and walked towards the centre of the pitch rather than approaching the group of Benin players.

“Right at the very last moment, Leo made a wild detour and, consciously avoiding the crowd of Benin players that had formed, walked toward the centre of the pitch,” Adelakun wrote.

He described the moment as particularly disappointing because Messi’s reputation and influence have inspired young footballers across Africa, including those in the Benin squad.

“That was a new low for a man revered by many and who, in many young African minds, could do no wrong,” he added.

The allegations have brought another perspective to an occasion largely organised around celebrating Messi’s remarkable international career.

The Argentina captain bowed out after more than two decades representing his country, having become Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer. His farewell attracted an emotional reception from supporters at the Monumental, where he addressed the crowd after the match.

The fixture offered Benin an opportunity to share the pitch with the reigning world champions during a landmark moment in their captain’s history. 

Adelakun had previously described the invitation as a privilege, highlighting the connection between Messi’s career and his own memories of Argentina’s victory over Nigeria in the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup final.

The post-match experience, however, appears to have overshadowed part of that occasion for the Benin assistant coach.

Adelakun’s criticism centres on the contrast between Messi’s status as a global football icon and the expectations of players who wanted to mark his final international appearance with a brief moment of appreciation.

His account remains an allegation from the Benin camp, and the episode raises questions about how post-match access and security arrangements were managed during an event of exceptional significance for Argentine football.

While the result went Argentina’s way, Adelakun’s reflection suggests that the experience was remembered by the Benin delegation for reasons beyond the scoreline.