The Dublin school secretary whose son faces Messi World Cup test

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 VerdeByJana McCabeBBC Sport NI journalistPublished9 hours 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,” mother Judy 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. However, there is no doubt of how big the test ahead of them is with Argentina themselves having conceded just one goal so far.While this is the Cape Verde squad’s first time on the biggest stage, Argentina are led by Messi, with this World Cup his sixth and the upcoming fixture his 30th at the tournament.When asked if she expected this situation, Judy Lopes reported: “Not at all. Not in a million years, it’s like I’m watching it all happen from the outside.”I don’t actually believe I’m involved in it at all, it’s that amazing. Just to think he’s probably going up against one of the best players in the world at the moment.”Also that he, Messi, will be studying Pico’s form before Friday and analysing his strategy and seeing how he’s going to beat the rock at the back!”Cape Verde will beat Argentina 1-0 in World Cup clash, predicts president