Messi gets new teammate: World Cup's biggest breakout star set for fairytale transfer

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Suraj Radia | Editor

Lionel Messi could be set to team up with one of the biggest stars of the 2026 World Cup in Inter Miami after a dream move emerged for the tournament’s most viral sensation.

Messi continued his outstanding tournament by leading Argentina to a late turnaround win against Egypt on Tuesday and sending his country into the World Cup quarter finals.

The 39-year-old has scored eight times in the competition so far, netting in every game he has played including in the previous round against Cabo Verde in a 3-2 win after extra time.

That game saw Messi come up against goalkeeper Vozinha, whose impressive displays have led to a monumental rise to stardom that has seen the 40-year-old gain a staggering 28 million followers on Instagram.

Vozinha grabbed widespread attention with a string of saves to keep a clean sheet against Spain in Cabo Verde’s opening game of the tournament and he carried on his impressive form before his side eventually lost to Messi’s Argentina in the round of 32.

However, the fairytale does not appear to be ending there for Vozinha after a report from MARCA which claims that Inter Miami could now look to sign the veteran following his breakout displays on the global stage.

Vozinha set to link up with Messi at Inter Miami after sensational 2026 World Cup displays

Vozinha has spent most of his career as a European journeyman, with his longest stint coming in a five-year stint with Cypriot side AEL Limassol before playing in the second tier of Portugal last season.

But it is now believed that Inter Miami are ‘extremely interested’ in signing Vozinha to play alongside his idol Messi, with negotiations set to ramp up after the World Cup’s conclusion.

Vozinha revealed that he had spoken to Messi after the loss to Argentina and expressed his pride at the praise given to him by the legendary forward.

"I went up to Messi after the game. He hugged me and said, ‘You are great. Your people should be proud of you,’” Vozinha said, according to Yahoo Sports.

“That was incredible for me. Hearing words like that from someone like Leo Messi means a lot to me. I thanked him and said, ‘Thank you, Leo. You are the best.’ Then I asked if we could swap shirts. Leo said he would give it to me in the tunnels after the interview."

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