World Cup 2026: Roberto Lopes will relish Lionel Messi duel, says Cape Verde defender's mother

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.

After finishing runners-up behind European champions Spain, they now face defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday (22:00 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.

"He just takes it all in the stride. He's very grounded, level-headed and he'll be well able to block out the noise that's around in this fixture.

"People don't realise he's very experienced at this stage. He's played through two Afghans and also spent 10 years with Shamrock Rovers and I don't think it'll faze him at all, and I think he'll relish the challenge and hopefully come out on top."

This is Cape Verde's first World Cup and they have become the smallest nation to reach the knockout stages.

They have already looked strong defensively with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha starring as they opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Euro winners Spain.

Defender Lopes has played a key part in the side only conceding two goals and completing the group stages unbeaten.

However, there is no doubt of how big the test ahead of them is with Argentina themselves having conceded just one goal so far.

While this is the Cape Verde squad's first time on the biggest stage, Argentina are led by Messi, with this World Cup his sixth and the upcoming fixture his 30th at a World Cup.

"Not at all. Not in a million years, it's like I'm watching it all happen from the outside," she replied when asked if she thought she would ever be in this position.

"I don't actually believe I'm involved in it at all, it's that amazing. Just to think he's probably going up against one of the best players in the world at the moment.

"Also that he, Messi, will be studying Pico's form before Friday and analysing his strategy and seeing how he's going to beat the rock at the back!"

While her son's attentions are fully on how Cape Verde can keep their World Cup fairytale alive, Judy has returned to normality, but just for a couple of days.

Judy will briefly switch the bright lights of the World Cup for her job as a secretary in a school in Dublin before returning back to America alongside her husband and Pico's brothers for the big match.

"I know that sounds terrible now, but we never envisaged that they'd get out of the group that they were in," she continued.

"They were up against two former world champions with Spain and Uruguay and I think they were given a 1% chance, so we had just booked and planned for the three games of the group stages and I was due back in work straight after.

"The children gave me a great send off as well the day before I left and they created a lovely poster to wish him good luck and I brought it with me. I got signed by all the team while I was there, it'll be lovely to hang it up now in the foyer when the kids return in September."

This World Cup has produced many shocks with many countries who were tipped to progress to the latter stages of the tournament already bowing out.

Despite Judy acknowledging that Argentina are the favourites she added that "anything is possible" as Cape Verde aim to defy the odds.

"I think where maybe Argentina are the favourites to win the tournament, I think Cape Verde are the darlings of the tournament, without a doubt.

"It would be wonderful [if they progressed], anything is possible in football. At the end of the day, it's 90 minutes and it's 11 against 11 and anything can happen.

"So, let's hope the fairytale continues and they move on to the next stage."