Don’t be afraid of Messi: Cape Verde calls for the world champion

He is already playing in his sixth World Cup – he started off as well as he did this time Lionel Messi but never. The 39-year-old superstar scored six goals in the first three games, Argentina This led us confidently to victory in the group. He has clearly surpassed his previous best start to a World Cup – in 2014 he scored four goals in the group stage. The round of 16 will be against Underdog on Saturday night Cape Verde (0:00 a.m./live on ORF 1). Messi not only wants to increase his personal goal account, but also take the next step towards defending his title.

It shouldn’t be a disadvantage that the game is being played in Messi’s adopted hometown of Miami. The South Americans certainly show respect for the previously undefeated World Cup newcomer from West Africa. However, the “Blue Sharks” should not become a stumbling block for Argentina. Not least because Messi is in top form. When he was on the pitch at this World Cup, only he scored and no one else.

Messis Bodyguards

It’s not a problem that Messi no longer clocks up the most kilometers in the autumn of his career. Messi has ten teammates next to him on the pitch in the national team who are ready to take the famous extra meter for their superstar and look after him. Some could almost be described as Messi’s bodyguards. Team boss Lionel Scaloni has already prepared the team perfectly for and for Messi in 2022. The result is known: Argentina won the World Cup title.

But the Cape Verdeans are not afraid. Neither before Argentina nor before Messi. “For many people he is the best of all time,” says team boss Bubista. Playing against him “makes us proud.” But the island kickers don’t want to change their style of play against the world champions. You can “expect a Cape Verde that stays true to itself. We will not change our style of play, our identity because of the opponent,” said assistant coach Humberto Bettencourt. “Statistics are just theory. At the start of the World Cup we were given a one percent chance of winning, now it’s maybe four percent.”

Cult Keeper

A lot of work certainly awaits cult keeper Vozinha. Half the world now knows the story of the 40-year-old and his mother, who couldn’t afford the deposit for an entry visa to the USA. She is now there and will also be cheering on her son against the Argentinians in Miami.

By Editor