Two massive earthquakes, seconds apart from each other, struck Venezuela on June 24, killing thousands of people and leaving behind tons of collapsed infrastructure and disaster. While the country finds itself in tatters in these challenging and unprecedented times, Argentine superstar and World Cup winner Lionel Messi has sent a heartfelt message for those who have suffered from this catastrophe. Shortly after Argentina’s close win over World Cup 2026 debutants Cape Verde, in their Round of 32 fixture, Messi sent out a message for the countless Venezuelans.&nbsp;“I want to send a very big love message to all the people in Venezuela. We know the terrible disgrace they’re currently living, and I want - we want to send our maximum support”. &nbsp;“I want to send support to all those people that are suffering a lot, those people that can’t find their loved ones and have a lot of uncertainty of not knowing what will happen in their lives”. &nbsp;“Much strength to all Venezuelan people from here,” Messi said of Venezuela.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Leo Messi’s beautiful message to Venezuela. ❤️‍🩹 <a href="https://t.co/Ks7HUUYN92">pic.twitter.com/Ks7HUUYN92</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2073284172634824741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/j-rgen-klopp-recharged-and-ready-for-talks-to-become-germany-manager-julian-nagelsmann-1783161957641">Jürgen Klopp 'recharged and ready' for talks to become Germany manager</a> &nbsp;Not only Messi but also his greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, took a step forward in inviting a Venezuelan boy, who lost everything after the earthquake reduced all buildings to rubble, to watch one of his games in a personal video message posted on social media. &nbsp;"I want you to attend one of my games!" Ronaldo said to the boy after watching his video.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Cristiano Ronaldo saw the message of the Venezuelan boy who lost everything after the earthquake and he took action ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼 In addition to sending him words of encouragement, he invited Andrés to meet him: “I want you to attend one of my games!”. Sending strenght and all best… <a href="https://t.co/QvBbDMXc4e">pic.twitter.com/QvBbDMXc4e</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2073129511411941822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Messi's Historic World Cup Run Continues</h3>Lionel Messi was back scoring goals at the showpiece event in North America. After completing six goals in the group stage, including his maiden World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria, Messi scored one against Cape Verde. That one goal, however, was enough to break multiple records.

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Messi’s first-half strike saw him become the first-ever player to score in eight successive World Cup games, breach the 20-goal mark at the competition and complete seven goals in back-to-back editions. &nbsp;Messi also contributed with an assist during the extra time, adding one more to his G/A contribution at FIFA World Cups. He was the standout player for his team against Cape Verde, winning the Player of the Match award.&nbsp; &nbsp;Argentina will next face Egypt on Tuesday (Jul 7) in Atlanta for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals.&nbsp;

Following a deadly earthquake in Venezuela, Lionel Messi sends a heartfelt message of support amidst his record-breaking World Cup run in the USA.

Two massive earthquakes, seconds apart from each other, struck Venezuela on June 24, killing thousands of people and leaving behind tons of collapsed infrastructure and disaster. While the country finds itself in tatters in these challenging and unprecedented times, Argentine superstar and World Cup winner Lionel Messi has sent a heartfelt message for those who have suffered from this catastrophe. Shortly after Argentina’s close win over World Cup 2026 debutants Cape Verde, in their Round of 32 fixture, Messi sent out a message for the countless Venezuelans. “I want to send a very big love message to all the people in Venezuela. We know the terrible disgrace they’re currently living, and I want - we want to send our maximum support”. “I want to send support to all those people that are suffering a lot, those people that can’t find their loved ones and have a lot of uncertainty of not knowing what will happen in their lives”. “Much strength to all Venezuelan people from here,” Messi said of Venezuela.

Following a deadly earthquake in Venezuela, Lionel Messi sends a heartfelt message of support amidst his record-breaking World Cup run in the USA.

Venezuela Earthquake: Lionel Messi shares heartfelt message after toll nears 3,000

Argentina overcame a spirited Cape Verde side 3-2 after extra time to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, ending the tournament debutants' remarkable fairytale run in a dramatic contest in Miami. Lionel Messi once again proved decisive, scoring his 20th FIFA World Cup goal and his seventh of the tournament to give the defending champions an early advantage. The reigning champions appeared to be in control after Messi's sublime first-half finish, but Cape Verde refused to back down and produced one of the tournament's most memorable performances.&nbsp;Deroy Duarte equalised just after the hour mark, forcing Argentina into a far tougher battle than expected in the sweltering Miami conditions. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead early in extra time with a powerful strike, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to respond moments later with a sensational effort that flew into the top corner to make it 2-2. With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute. Cristian Romero rose highest to meet Messi's corner, and the ball deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges into his own net, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for Lionel Scaloni's side.&nbsp;Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta as they continue their bid to successfully defend the World Cup title. Despite progressing, Scaloni's team endured an uncomfortable evening against a fearless Cape Verde side that had already impressed by drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia during the group stage to reach the knockout rounds in their first-ever World Cup appearance. Playing in front of nearly 65,000 fans, many wearing Argentina's iconic sky-blue and white colours, Messi received a hero's welcome on his return to Miami, where he plays club football for Inter Miami.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/egypt-make-fifa-world-cup-history-with-penalty-win-over-australia-after-1-1-draw-1783113793476">Egypt make FIFA World Cup history with penalty win over Australia after 1-1 draw</a>&nbsp;The 39-year-old delivered another moment of brilliance, controlling Lisandro Martinez's pass with exquisite skill before calmly finishing past veteran goalkeeper Vozinha to open the scoring. The goal also extended Messi's remarkable record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches and strengthened his lead over France's Kylian Mbappe in the race to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer. Cape Verde emerged with greater attacking intent after the break, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was forced into action before Duarte fired home Ryan Mendes' pass to level the contest.&nbsp;Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who became a global sensation after his standout display against Spain earlier in the tournament, denied Messi in a crucial one-on-one opportunity before Irish-born defender Pico Lopes produced a vital interception to stop Enzo Fernandez from restoring Argentina's lead. Lisandro Martinez looked to have settled the contest two minutes into extra time when his powerful strike found the net following a corner.&nbsp;However, Cape Verde responded once again through Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose spectacular finish into the top corner was one of the standout goals of the tournament. As penalties edged closer, tension swept across the stadium before Messi's pinpoint corner created the decisive moment, with Borges' unfortunate own goal sending Argentina through. Cape Verde pushed desperately for another equaliser in the closing moments, but Emiliano Martinez produced a crucial save to deny Lopes Cabral and preserve Argentina's place in the Round of 16.

Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash. Lionel Messi's side now face Egypt in the last 16

Argentina overcame a spirited Cape Verde side 3-2 after extra time to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, ending the tournament debutants' remarkable fairytale run in a dramatic contest in Miami. Lionel Messi once again proved decisive, scoring his 20th FIFA World Cup goal and his seventh of the tournament to give the defending champions an early advantage. The reigning champions appeared to be in control after Messi's sublime first-half finish, but Cape Verde refused to back down and produced one of the tournament's most memorable performances. Deroy Duarte equalised just after the hour mark, forcing Argentina into a far tougher battle than expected in the sweltering Miami conditions. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead early in extra time with a powerful strike, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to respond moments later with a sensational effort that flew into the top corner to make it 2-2. With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute. Cristian Romero rose highest to meet Messi's corner, and the ball deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges into his own net, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for Lionel Scaloni's side. Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta as they continue their bid to successfully defend the World Cup title. Despite progressing, Scaloni's team endured an uncomfortable evening against a fearless Cape Verde side that had already impressed by drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia during the group stage to reach the knockout rounds in their first-ever World Cup appearance. Playing in front of nearly 65,000 fans, many wearing Argentina's iconic sky-blue and white colours, Messi received a hero's welcome on his return to Miami, where he plays club football for Inter Miami. Also Read: Egypt make FIFA World Cup history with penalty win over Australia after 1-1 draw The 39-year-old delivered another moment of brilliance, controlling Lisandro Martinez's pass with exquisite skill before calmly finishing past veteran goalkeeper Vozinha to open the scoring. The goal also extended Messi's remarkable record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches and strengthened his lead over France's Kylian Mbappe in the race to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer. Cape Verde emerged with greater attacking intent after the break, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was forced into action before Duarte fired home Ryan Mendes' pass to level the contest. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who became a global sensation after his standout display against Spain earlier in the tournament, denied Messi in a crucial one-on-one opportunity before Irish-born defender Pico Lopes produced a vital interception to stop Enzo Fernandez from restoring Argentina's lead. Lisandro Martinez looked to have settled the contest two minutes into extra time when his powerful strike found the net following a corner. However, Cape Verde responded once again through Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose spectacular finish into the top corner was one of the standout goals of the tournament. As penalties edged closer, tension swept across the stadium before Messi's pinpoint corner created the decisive moment, with Borges' unfortunate own goal sending Argentina through. Cape Verde pushed desperately for another equaliser in the closing moments, but Emiliano Martinez produced a crucial save to deny Lopes Cabral and preserve Argentina's place in the Round of 16.

Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time as an own goal sent Lionel Messi's side into the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16; will now face Egypt

Argentina survive scare from Cape Verde, win 3-2 in extra-time to qualify for Round of 16

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Venezuela Earthquake: Lionel Messi shares heartfelt message after toll nears 3,000

Defending champs Argentina survive scare from Cape Verde, win 3-2 in extra-time