Lionel Messi He surprised one of his World Cup opponents before Argentina’s knockout match against Cape Verde by greeting one of his World Cup rivals in English, although he rarely speaks the language in public.Cape Verde defender Steven Moreira has revealed the post-match interaction, recalling how the Argentina captain approached him before the last-32 match and congratulated him on reaching the World Cup in words he never expected from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi recognizes familiar MLS opponent
Messi and Moreira are no strangers when they meet at the World Cup.The pair have regularly crossed paths in MLS since Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023, with Moreira playing for Columbus Crew in MLS.The 31-year-old defender was born and raised in France before opting to represent Cape Verde at international level in 2023 and participating in the country’s historic first World Cup.Moreira admitted in an interview with former United States international Sasha Kyrjestein on Apple TV, the official broadcast partner of Major League Soccer, that teammates were wondering if Messi would recognize him before the game.“Yes, yes. Especially before the game, everyone says to me, ‘Do you think Messi knows you?'”“So I would answer, ‘Yes, of course. We play against each other every time [in MLS].'”According to Moreira, Messi unexpectedly greeted him before kick-off.“Then Messi came up to me and said, ‘Hi, how are you? Congratulations on everything.'” He said it in English, so I was a little surprised. “Although Messi has been playing in the United States for the past few years, he rarely speaks English publicly, making the brief exchange all the more memorable for the Cape Verdean defender.
Cape Verde pushes Argentina all the way
The match between Argentina and Cape Verde turned out to be one of the most interesting knockout matches of this World Cup.Cape Verde, participating in the World Cup for the first time, came from behind twice and finally lost 2-3 in overtime. Argentina advanced to the top 16 with a slight advantage and advanced to the World Cup finals.Moreira played the full 120 minutes against the reigning world champions, continuing the Cape Verde team’s fine display of excellence in every minute of the match.
Cape Verde’s Steven Moreira (22) holds the ball during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Florida, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Recalling the scene, he described the experience as unforgettable.“Honestly, it’s awesome,” Moreira said.“We did a lot in the game, so I’m very, very proud.”
Historic championship in Cape Verde
Although their World Cup journey ended against Argentina, Cape Verde emerged as one of the surprise stories of the tournament.The country was participating in the World Cup for the first time in its history, with the Blue Sharks drawing 0-0 with eventual champions Spain and then drawing with Uruguay to advance from the group stages.The results were met with widespread acclaim, with the draw against Spain one of the highlight moments of the first round.
Cape Verde’s Steven Moreira (right) heads a goal as Spain’s Gavi looks on during a football match between Spain and Cape Verde in World Cup Group H, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Moreira believes the game changed his country’s perception of football.“It put my country on top of the world. It’s something I’ll never forget. I’m very proud.”The defender’s performance was at the heart of Cape Verde’s impressive display, while veteran goalkeeper Wozniak also attracted widespread attention with a string of outstanding performances throughout the tournament.After the game, reports emerged that the vice-captain was set to move to Chilean giants Colo-Colo after leaving Portuguese club Chavez.
Moreira’s international journey
Moreira’s path to the World Cup has been extraordinary.He was born in the French football system and played for clubs such as Rennes, Lorient and Toulouse. He later switched to the Columbus Crew of the Major League Soccer League. It was not until he accepted his first call-up in 2023 that he made his debut for the national team on behalf of Cape Verde.The decision ultimately saw him become one of the key figures in the country’s debut on football’s biggest stage.Although Argentina eventually won after extra time, Cape Verde’s spirited performance won widespread admiration and Moreira left the game with a personal memory that few opponents can claim – Lionel Messi’s unexpected congratulations in English before one of the biggest games of his career.
