Lionel Messi World Cup interview stopped and gatecrashed by Cape Verde stars

Lionel Messi's post-match media interview was gatecrashed by Cape Verde players keen to capture pictures with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner following Argentina's 3-2 extra-time victory in the World Cup round of 32.

Shortly after Argentina overcame the Cape Verdeans, Messi conducted his usual media interviews. As he spoke about Cape Verde's display, many of their players appeared wanting to snap a selfie with him. Messi stopped his interview to oblige. As he posed, Messi jokingly said: "They asked for my jersey everything On the field they kick the c p out of me."

After taking pictures with the Cape Verde stars, Messi lavished the underdogs with praise. "It was a very tough game. They hadn't lost to or We did the most difficult thing which was to score the first goal. We thought that we would be able to play our game and be calm but it was the opposite. We lost the ball, we were a bit behind, we couldn't press it well. They hit us with their weapons."

Messi acknowledged the tournament's competitive nature. "This is what sets this World Cup apart. It's all very even, very complicated, all the games are going to be very difficult. We suffered while playing well and playing badly."

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha later recalled his exchange with Messi. "I went up to Messi after the game He hugged me and said You are great Your people should be proud of you. That was incredible for me. Hearing words like that from someone like Leo Messi means a lot to me."

Despite their defeat, Cape Verde had made history as the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout round. Their performance throughout the tournament proved they could compete with the world's elite teams despite the vast disparity in resources and global standing.