Messi jokes about rough play after Argentina's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde

Lionel Messi steered Argentina to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in an international football match, though the defending champions faced a tougher-than-expected challenge on the field. Following the win, Messi spoke candidly about the physical nature of the contest, using humour to describe the intensity of play he encountered.

In his post-match remarks, Messi revealed that Cape Verde's players had employed aggressive tackling throughout the game, joking that his opponents "kicked the crap out of me" during the ninety minutes. Despite the rough treatment, Messi noted the ironic contrast in their behaviour after the final whistle—the same players who had tackled him hard now requested his autograph, selfies, and his match-worn jersey as souvenirs.

While Argentina secured the three points, Messi acknowledged that his team's performance fell short of their usual standards. The World Cup-winning captain praised his side's improvement in set-piece execution, recognising this as a positive takeaway from the encounter. However, he admitted that Argentina struggled to maintain control of the match for large stretches and failed to dominate possession as they typically do. Messi emphasised the need for significant tactical refinement and better midfield control heading into their upcoming fixtures.

The match highlighted the physical demands Argentina faces when competing against determined opponents, even those ranked lower in world football standings. Cape Verde's aggressive approach, while ultimately unsuccessful, tested Argentina's defensive solidity and forced the South American champions to work harder than anticipated for their victory.

Messi's comments reflect the reality of modern international football, where smaller nations increasingly employ high-intensity pressing and physicality to compete against elite teams. Argentina, as defending world champions, will look to improve their overall performance and consistency as they continue their campaign in upcoming matches.