Controversy over Messi’s farewell match, Argentina in trouble

The international break for the Argentina national team is going through a turbulent time. The 7-0 defeat of Burkina Faso was a chaotic affair. The match against Benin is also going to be played in an unusual atmosphere. Benin has also faced various problems in coming to South America.

There was little discussion about the 4-0 win over Bolivia. But things have changed a lot in the last few days. The Albiceleste did indeed thrash Burkina Faso 7-0. But it did so in chaotic conditions.

Due to travel arrangements by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Burkina Faso fielded a new team of under-23 players. The team arrived on a low-cost flight. They did not receive any bonuses. So the team had to be changed at the last minute.

The situation was even worse. The players landed in Argentina just three hours before the match. They had no time to rest after the long journey. Naturally, the gap was much larger than expected. The Argentine press did not take this well. They criticized it harshly.

The situation shows no signs of calming down easily. Lionel Messi will play his last match for Argentina at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 6. That match will also be in a very unusual atmosphere. According to a report by Megasport, Benin's players have encountered one problem after another before the match.

The facilities were not good at all. The hotel had no hot water. The sauna was broken. There was also a lack of equipment. The artificial grass practice field and fitness room were not suitable for a professional team. The Benin team arrived on a 23-hour economy class flight. Video analyst Jonas Biede lost consciousness there.

Some players are also missing from the team. They are Besiktas' Junior Olaitan, TPS' Charlemagne Ajonitode and VPS' Sahid Ngobi. However, the situation has improved. Slowly everything is getting back to normal. Still, it was a difficult time for Benin. This will not improve Argentina's reputation either.

Of course, Messi's image in Argentina will remain intact. There is no room for misunderstanding on this issue. However, this is not the first time that the AFA's name has been mentioned in allegations of being involved in problems close to corruption or trying to take advantage in some way. Now it remains to be seen how the match goes.