De Paul warns Argentina: 'Every game could be our last'

Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has urged his teammates to stay fully focused ahead of their World Cup round of 32 clash against Cape Verde. Despite cruising through the group stage with three convincing wins, the defending champions know how quickly things can change. De Paul pointed to the shocking early exits of Germany—beaten by Paraguay on penalties—and the Netherlands, who fell to Morocco from the spot. “It would be a mistake to look beyond tomorrow’s match. For me, it’s the last. I’ll do everything to make sure it’s not, and that there’s more ahead. That’s my mindset,” said the 2022 World Cup winner. Argentina dominated Group play with a 8-1 goal difference, powered by Lionel Messi’s six goals. De Paul, now playing for Inter Miami, sat out the final group game to rest but took on a mentoring role with younger squad members. “We tell the young guys: every time we put on this shirt, it could be the last. The only way I’ve found to keep wearing it for eight or nine years is to never want it to end and to give everything,” he explained. The match against Cape Verde kicks off on July 4 at 01:00, as Argentina aim to take another step toward defending their world title.