Lionel Messi has paid tribute to his Argentina teammates after another inspirational performance helped the world champions reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Softfootball reports.
The Argentine captain delivered a Man of the Match display as Argentina edged past a spirited Cape Verde side 3-2 after extra time, opening the scoring with a superb first-half finish to register his seventh goal of the tournament and further strengthen his place among the competition’s leading scorers.
Reflecting on the victory, Messi praised the unity within the Argentina squad.
The truth is that I am deeply grateful to my teammates and I am very happy to compete alongside them,”
Messi said.
They are friends. It’s a very beautiful, very united group. It makes me happy to hear all those affectionate words.
Messi’s leadership and clinical finishing once again proved decisive as Argentina continued their World Cup title defence, with the Albiceleste now turning their attention to the quarter-finals.
