Roberto Lopes, known as Pico Lopes, is set for the biggest test of his Cape Verde career when he faces Lionel Messi in Miami on Friday. Cape Verde are into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, and Lopes goes into the match with 44 caps behind him.
Judy Lopes on Pico Lopes
Judy Lopes said her son will welcome the challenge. “Not at all. Not in a million years, it's like I'm watching it all happen from the outside,” she said when asked if she expected this situation.
She also backed his temperament under pressure. “He'll relish the challenge of taking on Messi at the weekend and he's always very composed, confident and performs very well under pressure,” she said, adding that he is “very grounded, level-headed and he'll be well able to block out the noise that's around in this fixture.”
Her view comes from watching a player who spent 10 years with Shamrock Rovers and has built his international record one cap at a time. “People don't realise he's very experienced at this stage. He's played through two Afcons [Africa Cup of Nations] and also spent 10 years with Shamrock Rovers and I don't think it'll faze him at all,” she said.
Cape Verde and Group H
Cape Verde reached the last 32 from Group H after draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. They opened with a goalless draw against Spain, finished runners-up behind Spain in the group, and stayed unbeaten through the group stage.
The defensive line has been tight. Cape Verde conceded two goals in the group stages, while Argentina have conceded just one goal so far.
Messi in Miami
The match in Miami kicks off on Friday at 23:00 BST and sends the winner into the last 16. It will be Lionel Messi's 30th World Cup match, and it comes at this World Cup, his sixth, with six goals already to his name.
For Cape Verde, the scale of the task is clear. They are the smallest nation to reach the knockout stages, but the next step is a meeting with Argentina and Messi in Miami, where Pico Lopes will need the same composure his mother says has defined him all along.
Can Cape Verde's defence hold up against Messi and Argentina on Friday?
