Kruger United goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou has recalled the moment he came face-to-face with Lionel Messi during Benin’s 3-0 defeat by Argentina at Estadio Monumental on Wednesday.
Dandjinou played 76 minutes and was substituted for Saturnin Allagbe when the hosts were already three goals up. Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina, followed by Nico Paz, before Messi converted from the penalty spot.
Messi’s 71st-minute penalty was significant because it was his last goal for Argentina on the night he played his final international game, ending a 21-year career with the national side. The person attempting to deny the former FC Barcelona captain was Dandjinou, who became the last man to be breached by Messi in international football.
The Kruger United goalkeeper was beaten by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who scored his 126th goal for his country on his 208th appearance. The ball nestled into the roof of the net in the right corner after being struck by Messi’s deadly left foot.
“In that moment, he was the only one I was facing. I wish it was not a penalty. Taking his last penalty, he played to my left. The last penalty at the [2026 FIFA] World Cup he missed it [against Egypt], so for me I thought he was going to change,” Dandjinou told FARPost in an exclusive interview.
“But he didn’t change. He went for the top corner with power because, in the game, I think I stopped him too much. I told myself I won’t give him the game…So, he made sure that he took a very good penalty.”
MARCEL DANDJINOU’S HOMEWORK BEFORE FACING MESSI
According to Transfermarkt, Messi has scored a total of 117 penalties for both club and country in his career while missing 35. Before the match, Dandjinou was studying Messi’s scoring habits and how the Inter Miami star takes his penalties.
But that wasn’t enough to stop Messi from scoring from the penalty spot, although the 39-year-old couldn’t score in open play.
“I was checking how he takes his penalties. I think he has missed more from the right side, and I thought he was going to change, but he didn’t change. He just went for the top corner with power,” Dandjinou went on.
As early as the seventh minute, Dandjinou denied Messi an opportunity to give Argentina an early lead before also frustrating Otamendi, who, however, scored later on. Messi’s consolation after failing to score from open play may have been providing assists for Otamendi and Paz.
“It was a good experience to play against big players who are based in Europe. Facing the GOAT [Messi], you need to do your best because most of the time he doesn’t need more chances to punish you.
“So, facing the GOAT was a good feeling, a good experience. We were playing in front of 85, 000 people, and it’s not the same in the PSL. So, it’s a good experience which is going to help me at Kruger.
“The atmosphere was not intimidating because I have played in full stadiums before, but this one was just too special.”
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