The full-back, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, produced one of the tournament's most sublime moments in Miami on July 4 when, after gliding past Alexis Mac Allister, he curled a magnificent effort beyond Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to level the match at 2-2 in extra time.

Lionel Messi looked to the sky, fists clenched, as Argentina’s Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde in Miami on Saturday came to an end. There had been tears in his eyes just a few minutes earlier. Messi’s reaction was not merely one of relief washing over him but that of a survivor emerging from great turmoil. The Blue Sharks had awakened a fear Argentina did not know still existed within them.

Even about a year ago, Lisandro Martinez was a peripheral figure, mostly away from the eyes of football fans -- not because of a dip in form, but because of a serious injury that had taken a mental toll on the Manchester United defender and his family as well.

Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the "match of our lives" but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday's last 32 clash.

His comments come ahead of Saturday's last-32 clash against Argentina in Miami.