For football fans in Benin, Tuesday’s match against Argentina was less about the result and more about witnessing Lionel Messi’s final international appearance.Benin lost 3-0 in Buenos Aires in front of more than 80,000 spectators, but the score was almost an afterthought on a night when one of the world’s greatest players said goodbye to international football.In Cotonou, screens were set up in restaurants and bars across different neighbourhoods so fans could watch the historic occasion. The match kicked off at midnight local time in Benin, but that did not stop supporters from searching for a place to watch.“We’re looking for a screen, even if we have to stand,” said one young worker, as quoted by news agency AFP.A few “Go Benin” chants could be heard during the national anthems, but the fans watching in Benin were mostly focused on 39-year-old Messi, knowing they were watching a special moment in world football.“It’s an honour that Benin is the last team Messi faces,” said Sylvestre Dagbedji, 34, a security guard and self-declared Messi fan.“We’ll always remember that it was against Benin that he retired from international football,” he added.Sitting nearby, Armand Folly, 27, a motorcycle taxi driver, said: “It’s going to be tough for us Beninese. Messi is a great player. I’m so proud of him for his career.”During the match, supporters cheered the Cheetahs whenever they tried to break through Argentina’s defence. But the biggest cheers were reserved for Messi, with fans applauding every time the former Barcelona forward and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner received the ball.“I’m sad because Messi won’t play anymore. He was excellent at Barca, I don’t know who will be able to play like him again,” said Toussain Kpadonou, a craftsman, who was watching with around a hundred people in front of a giant screen.Younger fans were also happy to watch the final international appearance of a player who has been part of the football world for two decades.“Messi is a god of football, the best player in the world. He performed so well throughout his entire career, from Barca to Inter Miami,” said Destin Avere, 17, as quoted by AFP.In the 71st minute, Messi stepped up to take a penalty after already providing two assists. When he found the back of the net, the crowd in Benin erupted.By then, Benin’s defeat had already been forgotten. The only thing on the fans’ minds was Messi.
