Cape Verde Defender Ready for Messi Showdown
The prospect of facing World Cup record goalscorer Lionel Messi in a knockout game would strike fear into most defenders. However, Judy Lopes believes her son Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes will embrace the challenge.
The Cape Verde centre-back has helped the African side progress to the last 32 from Group H after draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. They now face defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday (23:00 BST) for a spot in the last 16.
Messi will lead Argentina’s attack and has already scored six goals during what is expected to be his last World Cup. ‘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 told BBC Sport NI’s Nicola McCarthy.
