Benin Fans Celebrate Lionel Messi’s International Farewell Despite 3-0 Defeat

COTONOU, Benin — For football fans in Benin, Tuesday night was less about the result and more about witnessing history as their national team faced Lionel Messi in what was described as the Argentine superstar’s final international appearance.

Benin suffered a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires in front of more than 80,000 spectators, but the scoreline mattered little to supporters back home. For many in the West African nation, the occasion was an opportunity to watch one of football’s greatest players take his final bow on the international stage.

Across Cotonou, restaurants, bars and neighbourhood gathering points set up large screens for fans determined not to miss the historic encounter.

“We're looking for a screen, even if we have to stand,” said one young worker as he hurried through the streets of the capital ahead of the midnight kick-off.

Although supporters occasionally broke into “Go Benin” chants during the national anthems, much of the attention was focused on Messi, who at 39 was making what fans regarded as a historic international farewell.

‘An honour’ for Benin

For many supporters, the fact that Benin was the opponent for Messi’s final international appearance was a source of pride.

“It's an honour that Benin is the last team Messi faces,” said Sylvestre Dagbedji, a 34-year-old security guard and self-confessed Messi fan.

“We'll always remember that it was against Benin that he retired from international football,” he added.

Armand Folly, a 27-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, admitted that seeing Messi leave the international stage was an emotional moment despite Benin's defeat.

“It's going to be tough for us Beninese. Messi is a great player. I'm so proud of him for his career,” Folly said.

The Cheetahs still received support throughout the match, with fans cheering whenever Benin attempted to challenge Argentina's defence. But those efforts were often followed by applause whenever Messi received the ball.

Messi’s final moments capture Cotonou

For supporters gathered around giant screens, the match became a celebration of Messi's extraordinary career.

“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 watching alongside about 100 other fans.

Younger supporters were equally captivated by the occasion, having grown up watching Messi's exploits for Barcelona, Argentina and Inter Miami.

“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 17-year-old Destin Avere.

The moment that sparked the biggest celebration in Cotonou came in the 71st minute.

After already providing two assists, Messi stepped up to take a penalty and converted it to complete Argentina's 3-0 victory.

The reaction from the Beninese crowd was striking. Rather than lamenting their team's defeat, supporters erupted in celebration for Messi.

For many, it was a fitting conclusion to an evening in which the result had become secondary to the presence of a football icon.

“We're going to miss him,” Folly said.

For Benin, the night ended in defeat. But for thousands of supporters watching across Cotonou, the occasion will be remembered as the night their country shared the stage with Lionel Messi for the final chapter of his international career.