Lionel Messi laughed off some heavy treatment from Cape Verde after Argentina’s 3-2 win in a World Cup last-16 qualifier in Miami on Friday.
He joked that his opponents “kick the crap out of me” on the pitch — yet they hung around after the final whistle to ask for his shirt and a selfie. Several Cape Verde players waited behind to request shirts and photographs, and he happily obliged, Goal.com reports.
Argentina were pushed hard all game by a determined Cape Verde side. Messi also praised the team’s set-piece work, noting recent struggles there: “We’ve been working on it for a while, both offensively and defensively. In a competition like this, it’s important.”
Still, Messi admitted the match showed room for improvement. After taking the lead, Argentina “lost possession, we sat back, we couldn’t press effectively,” he said.
The win sent Argentina through to the next round, where they will face Egypt after the North Africans progressed on penalties against Australia. Messi also hit a personal milestone in Miami, scoring his 20th career World Cup goal.
