Messi returns as Golden Boot race intensifies ahead of Argentina's date with giant-killing Cape Verde

Golden Boot chase tightens

Lionel Messi returns to the World Cup pitch on Friday when Argentina face Cape Verde, carrying six goals and a share of the tournament lead. The 38-year-old is tied with France's Kylian Mbappé, who struck twice in a 3-0 win over Sweden to reach 18 career World Cup goals (one behind Messi's all-time record of 19). Norway's Erling Haaland and England's Harry Kane sit on five goals, while Ousmane Dembele, Mikel Oyarzabal, Vinicius Junior and Ismaila Sarr have each netted four. Sarr cannot add to his tally because Senegal have been eliminated. Should the Golden Boot end in a tie, assists serve as the first tiebreaker (Mbappé leads Messi 2-0) and fewest minutes played as the second.

Cape Verde's fairytale run

Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, earned an unlikely spot in the last 32 with draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Ranked 67th at the start of the tournament, the Atlantic archipelago side have never lost in their debut campaign and see the meeting with Argentina as the biggest match in their history. Coach Bubista insists the team will not abandon the adventurous approach that brought them this far.

We are in this competition on merit. We showed that during qualification, and we have shown in our three matches here that we can compete at this level.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, overseeing his 100th game, warned against complacency. Argentina need a victory to secure a place in the round of 16, with Messi restored to the starting lineup after being rested against Jordan.

They are not here by chance. We must respect them, and that's what we will do.

The Messi effect in Miami

The match at Hard Rock Stadium doubles as a homecoming for Messi, who has played his club football in Miami since 2023. An estimated 30,000 Argentinians live in the area, and another 20,000 travelling fans have turned Miami Beach into a festival. The crowd sees the knockout tie as a step towards a second consecutive World Cup for their captain, widely considered the greatest player of all time.

Messi deserves to win another World Cup. It's Messi's last World Cup and since he's the greatest player of all time, he deserves to walk away with another trophy.