Benin ready for 'special match' as Argentina bid farewell to Lionel Messi

While Dandjinou knows the game in Buenos Aires will have extra significance for the hosts, the shot-stopper insists Benin will not just make up the numbers when the clash gets underway.

The 28-year-old, who plies his trade in the Betway Premiership for Kruger United, calls Messi a true legend of the game and there will definitely be a clamour from the African players to get his jersey.

Dandjinou said on Marca: "For me this match is not like any other. I think it's something that happens only once in our career, because it's Messi's last match. It's a special match.

"No, no. I'm a goalkeeper and I'm there to stop shots. Even if it's the last minute and there's a penalty, if Messi takes it, I'll try to save it. It's that simple: it's football.

"Yes, we're here to celebrate Messi, but nobody has told us we have to give him a goal. And knowing Messi, you don't need to give him anything either. If he wants to score, he'll have to do everything possible to get it.

"If you ask anyone on my team, everyone wants his shirt. So it would be good if they made a lot of shirts and gave one to each player. Because if only one of us can go and ask for the shirt, I don't think it will be easy: we all want it.

"It would be an enormous pride to play, and that memory will stay in my memory forever. I'll be able to say in my career: 'I was there, at a legend's last match, at Messi's last match'.

"It's incredible. We grew up watching Messi and Cristiano. Both have taught us a lot in football. They've been competing for a very long time. For me, Leo is one of the best players in this sport. One of the kings."

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