Messi ‘to play’ final Argentina game as Benin trip echoes Burkina Faso scandal | OneFootball

Argentina’s international window has veered from routine wins to controversy, and the Benin fixture after midnight next Tuesday comes under an unusual cloud.

Foot Mercato reports that Lionel Messi will play his final game for Argentina on Tuesday 6 October at the Monumental in Buenos Aires. The occasion, however, follows a week dominated by off-field turmoil.

After a 4-0 win over Bolivia, Argentina thrashed Burkina Faso 7-0 in a match mired in chaos. With travel handled by the Argentine Football Association, the Stallions fielded an under-23 heavy side, flew low-cost with no bonuses, and landed just three hours before kick-off.

The scoreline ballooned beyond expectations, and local media labelled the affair a scandal.

Benin have faced their own problems on arrival. Players found no hot water at the hotel, a broken sauna, inadequate equipment, and training facilities, both the artificial pitch and the gym, judged unfit for a professional side.

They also endured a 23-hour economy flight during which analyst Jonas Bedi lost consciousness. Several key players are absent, including Junior Olaitan of Besiktas, Charlemagne Azondjitode of TBS and Sahid Ngobi of VBS.

Conditions later improved, yet it has been a gruelling stretch for Benin and an unflattering look for Argentina as the late-night friendly nears.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”