Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has said he will not make life easy for Lionel Messi in what may be the Argentina captain’s final symbolic appearance for his country
“I’m a goalkeeper, and my job is to stop shots,” Dandjinou said, as reported by Spanish daily Marca and relayed by French outlet Footmercato.
“Even if it’s a penalty”
The Benin number one made clear that the occasion would not soften his approach, even in the most dramatic scenario.
“Even if it’s the last minute and there’s a penalty, if Messi takes it, I’ll try to save it,” he said.
“This is football”
While acknowledging the significance of the match as a tribute to Messi, Dandjinou rejected any suggestion that Benin should step aside for the occasion.
“It’s as simple as that: this is football. Yes, we’re here to celebrate Messi, but nobody told us we had to give him a goal,” he said.
He added that the Argentine superstar is hardly in need of favours. “And knowing Messi, we don’t need to give him any gifts.”
