Cape Verde president predicts 1-0 win over Argentina
Cape Verde president José Maria Neves told the BBC he expects the Blue Sharks to beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 in Friday's World Cup last-32 clash in Miami. His bold Argentina Cabo Verde forecast lands as the smallest nation ever to reach the knockouts prepares to face Lionel Messi at the stadium where he plays club football. The president spoke from Praia ahead of a tie that has turned Florida into Messi mania.
Key Takeaways
- President José Maria Neves predicted a 1-0 Cape Verde win over Argentina in a BBC interview from Praia.
- Cape Verde are making their first World Cup appearance and are the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage.
- The round-of-32 tie kicks off Friday at 22:00 GMT in Miami.
- Messi's Inter Miami homecoming has drawn thousands to Miami ahead of the match, with extra police drafted in.
- Neves said Cape Verde would leave the tournament with heads high regardless of the result.
Why did Cape Verde's president predict a 1-0 win?
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, President José Maria Neves said plainly: "I think Cape Verde can beat Argentina 1-0." He argued that when expectations are low and a team has the urge to win, upsets are possible — and that a small nation should always try to surprise people.
Neves went further, claiming the squad has "100% faith, 100% hope" and would "completely sweat out its jersey," giving Cape Verde a "100% chance to win against Argentina." He said the country came to the World Cup to "write our own destiny," and would face Messi with the same determination as any other opponent.
What makes the Argentina Cabo Verde clash so unusual?
This is Cape Verde's first World Cup. The Atlantic archipelago of 10 islands has already made history as the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stages. They now meet Argentina, the defending champions, in a tie Neves framed as a meeting of champions against upstarts who have built a reputation for shocking opponents.
The president told the BBC the Blue Sharks are "playing to win" rather than merely participating. Even so, the scale of the challenge is stark: Argentina bring Lionel Messi as defending champions. For more offbeat sports moments, see our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage.
How is Lionel Messi's Miami homecoming shaping the match?
The fixture lands in Messi's adopted backyard. The Mirror reports Messi has touched down in Miami — where he plays for Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham — as Argentina close out the round of 32 against Cape Verde on Friday.
Beckham, who helped bring Messi to Florida in 2023, is expected at the Miami Stadium showdown. The Mirror says thousands of fans without tickets will still flock to the venue, with extra police drafted in to manage the commotion Messi generates across the city, from murals in Wynwood to restaurants charging premium prices to meet demand.
What happens if Cape Verde lose?
Neves told the BBC there is no such thing as failure for his nation at this World Cup. "Regardless of the outcome, we will leave the World Cup with our heads high and with a sense of mission accomplished," he said.
Whether the president's 1-0 prediction proves prophetic or poetic, Friday's kickoff in Miami closes a remarkable debut run. Neves said Cape Verde came to write their destiny. Argentina, and Messi, will have the final say on the pitch.