Messi carries Argentina's scoring into Cape Verde clash

Messi is carrying Argentina's scoring load

At this World Cup, it has been Messi or nothing. He has scored most of Argentina's goals so far, a pattern mirrored by Harry Kane for England. The 2026 tournament has become a showcase for individual stars dragging their teams forward (6). Argentina's path does not get harder yet, but the reliance is real.

Round of 32 set: Cape Verde, Saturday in Miami

Argentina face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is Saturday, July 4 (5). For Messi, it is a homecoming, the stadium sits in the city where he plays his club football for Inter Miami. A Messi mural has already gone up on the walls around town (5).

What to expect from Cape Verde

Cape Verde will not sit back. They have promised to play without fear (2). One name Argentina fans will recognize: Sidny Lopes Cabral, who played in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabéu and was once a teammate of Nicolás Otamendi (3). Their captain Ryan Mendes faces an off-field legal complaint, but the squad is full of unlikely journeys to this stage (2) (3).

Pochettino: '200% Argentine'

Mauricio Pochettino was asked about his loyalties after the United States beat Bosnia on Wednesday. He did not hesitate. "I am 200% Argentine," he said, before adding that he has fallen in love with the US project and cannot help singing the anthem when it plays (1). Argentina and the US are on opposite sides of the bracket, a meeting would be a final.