Cape Verde defender calls Messi Picasso and Dalí ahead of Friday

Cape Verde's defender on Messi: Picasso or Dalí

Friday's opponent has already started the mind games. A Cape Verde defender, the one tasked with marking him, compared Messi to Picasso and Dalí when asked the inevitable Cristiano question (2). "¿Leo o Cristiano? Es como si yo le preguntara a usted si prefiere a Picasso o a Dalí," he told Marca (2). Not a bad way to describe the job ahead of him. Argentina face Cape Verde in the round of 16 on Friday, and Messi remains the gravitational center of every conversation.

France back on top of the rankings

France beat Sweden 3–0 on Tuesday and jumped back above Argentina to reclaim the top spot in the FIFA rankings (3). Your team had held that position. It is a paper shift, nothing more, the real prize is still on the table. Argentina's path through the knockout stage looks clearer after Germany crashed out to Paraguay on penalties. The supercomputer now has Argentina as the strongest favorite left in the tournament.

Ordóñez ends eight-year spell at Encarnados

Lucas Ordóñez is leaving Encarnados after eight seasons (1). The Argentine forward departs as the club's longest-serving player. No word yet on his next move, but the door to the national team setup is not exactly shut for a player with that kind of longevity.