{
  "id": 12864638,
  "title": "No photo, no shirt, Benin coach laments treatment after Messi farewell",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/no-photo-no-shirt-benin-coach-laments-treatment-after-messi-farewell",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T12:24:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/no-photo-no-shirt-benin-coach-laments-treatment-after-messi-farewell/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed disappointment over the treatment his team received from Argentina during a friendly match as part of Lionel Messi's farewell to international football. The match, held at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, saw Argentina emerge victorious with a scoreline of 3-0. Messi, who marked his final appearance for the national team with a goal and two assists, described the occasion as the \"saddest day\" of his career. Rohr alleged that his team was denied the opportunity to take photographs with Messi and exchange shirts with the Argentine players, despite attempts by some Argentine players to exchange shirts. The Benin delegation also tried to present Messi with a bouquet of flowers, but their efforts were unsuccessful due to security restrictions. Messi, who ended his Argentina career as the country's most-capped player and leading goalscorer, paid tribute to his late father and Argentina legend Diego Maradona in an Instagram post following the match.",
  "summary": "Benin coach Gernot Rohr has criticised the treatment his players received after Lionel Messi’s farewell match, saying they were denied photos and shirts. Read More: https://punchng.com/no-photo-no-shirt-benin-coach-laments-treatment-after-messi-farewell/",
  "key_points": [
    "Benin coach Gernot Rohr laments denied photos and shirts with Messi.",
    "Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Messi's farewell match.",
    "Security restrictions prevented bouquet presentation to Messi."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Gave us nothing’: Argentina refused Benin players selfies with Messi, claims coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/gave-us-nothing-argentina-refused-benin-players-selfies-with-messi",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:57:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "No photo, no shirt, Benin coach laments treatment after Messi farewell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/no-photo-no-shirt-benin-coach-laments-treatment-after-messi-farewell-12865568",
        "published": "2026-10-08T12:28:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}