For a player who has spent his entire career in the League of Ireland, coming up against Lionel Messi in a World Cup knockout match must have been somewhat of a surreal experience for Pico Lopes.
The Shamrock Rovers defender played a starring role in Cape Verde’s fairytale run at the tournament, one which ended in the last-32 against defending champions Argentina.
Of course, the small African nation more than held their own in that game. They would bring the three-time World Cup winners to extra-time, eventually losing 3-2.
It was a brilliant match, one in which Roberto Lopes played incredibly well. In saying that, one of the most memorable moments came when he butted heads with Lionel Messi.
Pico Lopes opens up on Lionel Messi World Cup clash
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Just before halftime in the game, Pico Lopes would exchange a few tense words with Lionel Messi. It seemed that the Argentina legend was not happy with something the Dubliner did on the pitch, although it was unclear what it related to at the time.
We now have a better idea as to what occurred.
Speaking on RTÉ ahead of Argentina’s game against Egypt, Lopes summed up why Messi was unhappy with him at the time.
It was nothing really. I seen him coming into my eye line and I gave him a little push to make sure he was real, that he was human.
He didn’t take too kindly to it. He said in Spanish ‘Lopes, that’s a foul, there’s no ball here, don’t be touching me’.
I just thought he was trying to take me off my game, so I gave it no mind. He just kept going.
The referee blew for halftime. I just said ‘I need to touch you to make sure you’re there, because if you’re behind me I’m in deep trouble’.
We just shook hands and got on with it.
He certainly let Lionel Messi know he was there.
Unfortunately from a Cape Verde perspective, it was not enough to stop him from getting Argentina over the line on the day. Still, their run at the World Cup was one of the most enjoyable underdog stories the tournament has seen in quite some time.