Timor-Leste president sees Messi lose, predicts bold Cape Verde win

Timorese president and Nobel laureate Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta has given birth to new discussions surrounding the much-awaited match between Argentina and Cape Verde in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Before the match, he openly claimed that Cape Verde would win and Lionel Messi's Argentina would face their first defeat at the World Cup this year.

According to Ramos-Horta, the Cape Verde players' special diet, physical abilities, growing up in a hostile environment and cultural-spiritual strength are their greatest weapons. He said, this team is not only football but also in mental toughness and their chances of winning should not be ruled out.

He also claimed that Cape Verde has already proved its capabilities. Going undefeated to the knockout stage against strong opponents like Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia has boosted their confidence a lot. Therefore, he thinks that they can show a surprise against the world champion Argentina.

Argentina, on the other hand, finished the group stage with 100 percent wins and will look to continue their streak of good performances. Now football fans are waiting—whether Ramos-Horta's bold predictions come true, or Messi-led Argentina maintain their dominance in the knockout stages.