Lionel Messi sets World Cup appearance record as Argentina defeats Cape Verde

Lionel Messi said his Argentina team was not at its best after a 3‑2 extra‑time win over Cape Verde in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He praised the opponents for their quality and expressed disappointment that his side did not play at the highest level.

The match also gave Messi two historic milestones: he became the first player to appear in 30 World Cup games and set a new record with 27 starts in the tournament, extending his lead in the all‑time scoring chart with 20 goals.

These achievements were highlighted alongside the team's progression to the quarter‑finals, while the victory was secured in Miami, United States.