The Cape Verde national team and its historic 2026 World Cup run are back in the spotlight following Lionel Messi's international retirement. It was reported this week that the final chapter of the Argentine star's career was marked by his duel against the Blue Sharks in the Round of 32.
The match, played on July 3rd at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, was a dramatic battle that ended with a 3-2 extra-time victory for Argentina, eliminating Cape Verde from the competition. Despite the loss, the performance of the Cape Verdean squad, which reached the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, left an indelible mark on the tournament. The team, managed by Bubista, finished second in Group F behind Argentina, with one win, one draw, and one loss.
The encounter with Cape Verde is destined to live among the greatest World Cup classics. The match was described as "an epic" that defined the final acts of Messi's international career, which he ended on August 31st. Without his comeback after a brief retirement in 2016, the football world would not have witnessed this moment.
Messi's Argentina career ended with 125 goals in 207 caps, including eight scored at the 2026 World Cup, where he finished second in the Golden Boot race. The 39-year-old forward was instrumental in Argentina reaching the final, where they lost to Spain. His final decision was confirmed following the passing of his father, Jorge, last month. Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami in MLS, where he is captain and leads the league with 18 goals scored.
Another star of the 2026 World Cup also hung up his boots for his national team this week. Spanish World Cup winner Marcos Llorente announced his retirement from the Spain national team. The midfielder, who was part of the squad that won the tournament, thus joins Messi in the group of veterans who ended their cycle at the top.
This wave of retirements shows the end of a generation that shone in the North American tournament. For Cape Verde, the experience of facing these legends on the pitch represents a milestone in the development of the nation's football. The team can review the full record of its players in our squad page, which includes names like Jovane Cabral and Stopira, pillars of the campaign.
The ascent of less traditional national sides was a topic addressed by legendary Brazilian captain Cafu. Cafu highlighted how nations like Cape Verde and Curaçao "played on equal terms" with bigger teams in the recent World Cup, serving as an example for football development in countries like India.
Cafu, 56, argued that the possible expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams from 2030 could benefit these growing nations. The former right-back, who holds the record for most World Cup final appearances by a player (3) alongside Messi, spoke about the importance of young players maintaining their national identity even when moving to European clubs. Cape Verde's trajectory, which earned its World Cup place through a solid qualifying campaign, mirrors this new reality of global football.
Cape Verde's next official fixture is a friendly, but the date and opponent have not yet been confirmed. Fans can follow all calendar updates on our fixtures page. The team maintains its operational base at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, where it will prepare for the future after a historic campaign that raised its name on the international football scene.
