Messi’s farewell from the Argentina national team left unforgettable images, tributes, and a surge of emotion. Yet there was a gesture that went almost unnoticed during the pre-match warm-up against Benin, which, as hours passed, took on a deeply special meaning.
Before the match began, as the captains of both teams met at the center of the field for the traditional greeting, the representative of the Benin national team handed Messi a striking statuette. At that moment the true meaning of the gift was not yet known, but it was the journalist Mercedes Ninci who revealed the story behind the piece.
What the statuette Benin gave Lionel Messi signifies
According to Mercedes Ninci on her social media, the figure is a replica of the emblematic statue at the Place de L’Amazone, located in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital and most populous city.
The journalist also indicated that the information was provided by Jean Marc Adjovi Boco, an adviser to Benin’s Ministry of Sports who traveled with the African delegation.
“The gift from the Benin team to Leo Messi is a replica of the famous statue at Place de L’Amazone in Cotonou. It will be given to his wife Antonela Roccuzzo so that she can ‘watch over the king’,” wrote Ninci as she shared the image of the present.
What the Amazon statue of Benin represents
The Amazon statue is one of Benin’s most important monuments. Inaugurated in 2022 in the city of Cotonou, it pays homage to the legendary Amazonas de Dahomey, a female military corps that formed part of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Standing more than 30 meters tall, the monument symbolizes courage, strength, protection, and national pride. It has become one of the country’s major cultural icons and represents the pivotal role these warriors played in Benin’s history.
For that reason, the gift chosen for Messi carries a strong symbolic value: it not only recognizes the greatness of the Argentine captain, but also conveys a wish to protect his family.
A gesture rich in symbolism for Antonela Roccuzzo
The choice of the gift was not casual. The Amazon statue embodies strength, courage, and protection, so the Benin delegation explained that the tribute was designed especially for Antonela Roccuzzo, with the symbolic mission of “watching over the king”.
Thus, beyond recognizing Lionel Messi’s immense career and bidding him farewell with full honors, the African team sought to include his family in this moving tribute with a gift loaded with history and meaning.
Once again, the Argentine captain received affection and recognition from around the world, on a night that will forever remain in the memories of football fans.
