Jorge Valdano, the former Argentine striker who won the 1986 World Cup, has issued a stark warning before the national team’s match against Cabo Verde. The island nation of roughly 500,000 people, he insists, deserves full respect.
Cabo Verde announced their arrival on June 15, 2026, by holding reigning European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup debut. The hero of that match was 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha. His shutout performance earned Man of the Match honors. In a twist of fate, Vozinha’s father once tried to name his son Jorge Valdano, but local regulations blocked it.
Valdano balanced his caution with praise for Lionel Messi’s continued brilliance. However, he stressed that Cabo Verde’s results against Spain and Uruguay prove they are not merely participants. With many players competing in European leagues, particularly in Portugal, the team has developed elite defensive organization. The expanded 48-team tournament format has given nations like Cabo Verde a global stage, and they have seized it.
Argentina remains the heavy favorite, but the calculation for Cabo Verde is clear: stay compact, deny Messi space, and hope Vozinha delivers another masterclass.