Zlatan expresses admiration for Cape Verde after fantastic World Cup run
Former Sweden international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised Cape Verde despite their 3-2 Round of 32 loss to defending champions Argentina at the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
Zlatan who was speaking as a commentator on FOX Sports after the game expressed admiration for Cape Verde’s achievements at the tournament describing the African flagbearers as a ‘small island with big dreams.
He noted that Cape Verde did not lose any game during 90 minutes at the World Cup and also stated that the world did not believe they could hold Argentina in the tense encounter.
Zlatan said; “I just… I can stand there and give applause to Cape Verde because it was all about Cape Verde. Small island with big dreams, and they almost rocked a big giant. But these guys, they are heroes.
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“These are heroes; they became idols of that small island, and they are stars. They didn’t lose any game during 90 minutes–important to say. They almost made it in this game.”
He added, “I think the whole world did not believe it was possible, maybe… or I would say that a small island believed it was possible. And I am 100, 200 per cent sure when they come back to that small island, they are gonna have a big party, a big celebration, a big welcome on a red carpet.”
Argentina needed extra time to eventually win 3-2 as they were pushed to the brink of possibly the biggest World Cup upset ever after Cape Verde twice found equalizers before the island nation finally succumbed to the opponents 111th-minute winner.
