Messi named Man of the Match for third time at 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi keeps adding individual honors to his collection at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Argentina captain was voted Player of the Match in the Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde, as the defending champions edged past a stubborn opponent. The game took place at Stadium in Miami – the home ground of Inter Miami, where Messi plays his club football. Argentina didn’t have it easy, but Messi’s early strike set the tone, and the team managed to secure progression. Fans chose the 37-year-old forward as the standout performer. This marks Messi’s third such award in the tournament. The only match where he didn't earn it was the group stage win over Jordan (3–1). Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior also has three Man of the Match honors so far. In the Round of 16, Argentina will face Egypt. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, at Atlanta Stadium in the United States, with kickoff at 12:00 PM ET (19:00 Kyiv time).