Messi Carries Argentina Again, and the Weight Is Showing

Lionel Messi stole the spotlight once again as Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time on Friday, according to Reuters. His pinpoint delivery set up the decisive deflected header from Cristian Romero, while Lisandro Martinez also benefited from a Messi contribution earlier in the match.

Reuters note that the romance of Argentina's 2022 triumph was built on Messi finally receiving the World Cup he had long chased, but the reality in 2026 is that the team needs him at virtually every critical moment. The piece describes a faith in him that borders on dependency, a dynamic that will be tested further as the knockout rounds deepen.

Messi is described as both the tournament's greatest player and its leading scorer at this stage, a combination that makes Argentina formidable and fragile in equal measure.