Borges: 'There is no equality' against Argentina with Cape Verde at stake
The Cape Verdean captain denounces the structural gap in world football before the round of 16 duel against Messi's Argentina, using the World Cup as a platform for protest.
Diney Borges, captain of the Cape Verde defense, warned about systemic inequality in global football hours before the round of 16 match against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. "There is no equality," declared the Cape Verde international, who criticized that players from non-traditional nations face structural obstacles to developing professionally against teams from economic powers. The defender, a key player in Cape Verde's historic qualification to the round of 16, stated that the World Cup has given visibility to his country, but has not closed access gaps.
"There are great footballers all over the world, but there is no equal opportunity," he said in an exclusive interview. His position gains weight in a tournament where Cape Verde, with a budget and squad much lower than that of Argentina, seeks to make history. Borges explained that the current system rewards nations with greater investment in training, infrastructure and technology, leaving teams like his at a disadvantage from the base categories.
"It is not just an issue of talent, it is an issue of access," he stressed, and demanded that FIFA implement reforms to democratize the sport. Cape Verde, which makes its World Cup debut in 2026, reaches the round of 16 with a squad that averages 28 years old and a coaching staff with salaries well below the standards of the great powers. The debate about inequality in football is not new, but the Cape Verde case brought it to a turning point.
African teams such as Morocco in 2022 or Senegal in 2002 had already broken barriers by reaching decisive stages, but Cape Verde does so with even more limited resources: its federation allocates less than 5% of the CAF budget to youth development, according to data from 2025. Borges cited these numbers to illustrate how the chronic lack of investment stifles the potential of countries with a football tradition but without economic support. Borges' statements resonated especially in Africa, where soccer is a national passion but access to professional leagues remains a luxury.
In Cape Verde, for example, only 12% of local players have a professional contract, and many must emigrate to Europe or America to progress. "Talent is not lacking, what is lacking is the path," summarized a Senegalese sports analyst in a column published hours before the game. The criticism transcends sports: Cape Verde uses the World Cup as a platform to demand that FIFA prioritize funds for academies in regions with fewer resources, a claim that is gaining traction among African federations.
The historical context aggravates inequality. Since the creation of the World Cup in 1930, only three African teams have reached the quarterfinals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Morocco in 2022. Cape Verde, with an annual soccer budget that does not exceed 15 million dollars - compared to more than 200 million for Argentina - seeks to break that statistic with a clear message: talent is not measured in dollars.
The gap is not only economic, but also geopolitical, since decisions at FIFA tend to favor confederations with greater voting power, such as Europe and South America. The qualification system for the World Cup also reflects these asymmetries. While teams like Argentina or Brazil compete in confederations with fewer places but with greater investment in lower categories, Cape Verde had to overcome rivals like Ghana or Ivory Coast in qualifying rounds with less margin for error.
Borges highlighted that, in its qualifying group, Cape Verde added only 10 points, while Argentina accumulated 24 in its group, a reflection of how the system rewards those who already have structural advantages. Borges' statements generated an echo on social networks, where users from Africa and Latin America supported his criticism under the hashtag #IgualdadEnElFútbol. " The debate transcended sports and settled on the global agenda.
The match, which will be played at the Lusail stadium in Doha, will pit Cape Verde against Argentina and Lionel Messi, the greatest figure in world football. " What's next? Cape Verde will seek to consolidate its legacy at the World Cup, while Borges and other African soccer leaders plan meetings with FIFA to discuss reforms in the development of non-traditional teams.
Saturday's match will be a thermometer: if Cape Verde achieves a historic result, the pressure for equality could escalate to an institutional level. Meanwhile, the world will watch whether football can be more than a reflection of global inequalities. Read at El Mundo Deportes
Why this matters
The interview with Borges exposes the structural inequalities of international football, where countries like Cape Verde see their projection limited by resources and access. Its message transcends sports: the World Cup becomes a loudspeaker for historically marginalized nations, challenging the status quo of a sport dominated by economic powers. The 'David vs. Goliath' here acquires a political and social weight that redefines the meaning of competition. Cape Verde is not only looking to make history on the field, but also to push for systemic change that includes funding for academies, access to technology and equal representation in global football's decision-making bodies. The case of Cape Verde exposes how the current system reproduces global inequalities, but also how sport can be a catalyst to demand economic and social justice on a global stage.
Frequently asked
What specific claim does Diney Borges make about inequality in football?
Borges denounces that players from non-traditional countries face barriers to accessing professional development opportunities, while economic powers dominate the system with greater infrastructure and resources.
Why is Cape Verde's match against Argentina symbolic?
The duel represents the fight of emerging teams for visibility in a tournament dominated by teams with tradition and economic support, using the global stage to claim their place in football.
How has the 2026 World Cup impacted Cape Verde until the round of 16?
Participation has raised the profile of the Cape Verde team, attracting international media attention and generating local pride, although access to competitions at this level remains unequal.
What role does Lionel Messi play in this debate?
Messi symbolizes success in a system that, according to Borges, disproportionately benefits certain nations, marginalizing others with talent but fewer resources.
What changes does Borges demand from FIFA?
It demands more aggressive policies to democratize the sport, including greater investment in youth categories and infrastructure for non-traditional teams, especially in Africa.
What data supports the economic gap in African football?
According to CAF reports, in 2025, federations such as Cape Verde allocate less than 5% of their budget to youth development, while teams such as Nigeria or Egypt receive up to 30% of funds for infrastructure.
