Cape Verde's Vozinha Receives Praise from Messi After World Cup Clash

Jul 5, 2026

59 min

Jul 5, 2026 02:30

'Messi hugged me and said, You are great': Cape Verde hero Vozinha

## Messi's Praise for Vozinha

Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha experienced a memorable moment during the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Argentina's Lionel Messi praised him after their match. Despite Cape Verde's exit in the Round of 32, Vozinha's performance was a highlight, earning him an embrace and kind words from Messi.

## A Memorable Encounter

Following the intense game, Vozinha approached Messi, who commended him for his performance, saying, "You are great. Your people should be proud of you." The exchange left a lasting impression on Vozinha, who later swapped shirts with the Argentine star.

## Cape Verde's Impressive Run

Cape Verde's World Cup journey ended with a narrow 3-2 loss to Argentina in extra time. The team, making their tournament debut, impressed by reaching the knockout stages, surpassing teams like Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Vozinha's efforts in goal were pivotal, with 18 saves across four matches.

## Looking to the Future

Reflecting on their campaign, Vozinha expressed pride in the team's achievements and optimism for the future. He believes Cape Verde's young talent has the potential to excel in top leagues worldwide, marking the beginning of a promising era for the nation in international football.

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