Lionel Messi's recognition with Vozinha after Argentina vs. Cape Verde: "Your people must be proud"

Lionel Messi once again demonstrated his humility in a new episode that transcended the sporting result. After the narrow victory of the Argentine National Team by 3-2 against Cape Verde in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the albiceleste captain had an emotional gesture with Vozinha, the African goalkeeper who was one of the standout figures of the match.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper held his team up for much of the game with several decisive interventions, including some against Messi himself, and was one of the main reasons the match went into extra time.

Once the match was over, Vozinha revealed the conversation he had with the Argentine captain, a moment he described as unforgettable.

According to him, as soon as he approached to greet him, Messi took the initiative and hugged him before congratulating him on his performance.

The goalkeeper acknowledged that those words held immense value coming from one of the greatest players of all time.

"Hearing something like that from Leo means so much to me. I thanked him and replied: 'Thank you, Leo. You are the best,'" he recalled with emotion.

The exchange didn't end there. Seizing the moment, Vozinha asked Messi for a memento from the historic match played in the World Cup. The Argentine captain immediately accepted the request and promised to give him the jersey once they both returned to the locker room area.

"I asked him for his jersey and he smiled. He told me he would give it to me in the tunnel. These are moments I will remember for the rest of my life," the goalkeeper confessed.