Lopes will relish Messi duel, says Cape Verde defender's mother

Lopes will relish Messi duel, says Cape Verde defender's motherImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lopes plays for Shamrock Rovers and has been capped 44 times by Cape VerdePublished28 minutes agoThe prospect of facing World Cup record goalscorer Lionel Messi in a knockout game would strike fear into most defenders. However, Judy Lopes believes her son Roberto 'Pico' Lopes will embrace the challenge.The Cape Verde centre-back has helped the African side progress to the last 32 from Group H after draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.After finishing runners-up behind European champions Spain, they now face defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday (23:00 BST) for a spot in the last 16.Messi will lead Argentina's attack and has already scored six goals during what is expected to be his last World Cup. "He'll relish the challenge of taking on Messi at the weekend and he's always very composed, confident and performs very well under pressure," she told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy. "He just takes it all in the stride. He's very grounded, level-headed and he'll be well able to block out the noise that's around in this fixture. "People don't realise he's very experienced at this stage. He's played through two Afcons [Africa Cup of Nations] and also spent 10 years with Shamrock Rovers and I don't think it'll faze him at all, and I think he'll relish the challenge and hopefully come out on top."Messi will try 'to beat the rock at the back'This is Cape Verde's first World Cup and they have become the smallest nation to reach the knockout stages.They have looked strong defensively with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha starring as they opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Euro winners Spain. Defender Lopes has played a key part in the side, with Cape Verde only conceding two goals and completing the group stages unbeaten. How...