29/06/2026 16:30 - Deportes
The President of the Republic of Cape Verde, José María Neves, announced he will present Lionel Messi with an official Cape Verde national team jersey featuring the number 10 and his surname on the back, as recognition of his legendary career. The gift will be arranged through the African national team to ensure it reaches the Argentine captain before their 2026 World Cup Round of 16 encounter.
"We will offer him the colors of our national team, with his number and his name, to honor him as one of the best footballers in the world."
The president was emphatic: "I will do everything to ensure our national team delivers a jersey with Messi's number 10". He also described Messi as someone who "represents excellence, perfection, the very best that exists in world football".
The president emphasized that Messi is a major idol in this Atlantic archipelago:
| Match | Date | Stadium | Local Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Cape Verde | 03/07/2026 | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) | 19:00 |
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations. The Hard Rock Stadium is where Messi currently plays his home matches for Inter Miami in MLS.
At 39 years old, Messi closed the group stage with six goals in three matches, becoming only the fifth player in history to reach that tally in the group stage—the first since Russian striker Oleg Salenko in 1994.
His latest goal, a free-kick against Jordan in Arlington, Texas, extended his all-time record to 19 World Cup goals. He also became the first player ever to score in seven consecutive matches at a single World Cup tournament, surpassing legends Just Fontaine and Jairzinho.
Argentina won Group J with a perfect 9 points and +5 goal difference, defeating Algeria (3-0), Austria (2-0), and Jordan (3-1).
First World Cup in nation's history
Smallest nation ever to reach knockout rounds
530,000 inhabitants
Advanced with three draws: Spain (0-0), Uruguay (2-2), Saudi Arabia (0-0)
Sources: The announcement was made on June 28, 2026 by President José María Neves during an interview with Super Deportivo Radio, as reported by Infobae.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
