Some guys go to the World Cup and just watch. Jameis Winston went to the World Cup dressed as a shark, got drowned out by Lionel Messi chants, and surrendered to the GOAT on the spot. That’s the energy the Giants backup quarterback brought to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
Winston was outside the venue in Miami Gardens waving the flag for Cabo Verde, the tiny African nation that somehow pushed the defending champions to extra time. He’s a FIFA contributor for the tournament and clearly wanted to back the underdog. But the crowd had other plans. The Argentina faithful were relentless with the Messi songs, and Winston couldn’t fight it anymore.
He peeled off the shark costume. He grabbed an Argentina jersey. He started chanting right along with them.
“When they start saying Messi’s name, I had to take this shark off, because sharks don’t eat GOATs,” Winston told FOX Sports. “Ain’t nobody eat Messi.”
That clip went everywhere, because of course it did. Jameis Winston in a shark suit is already a thing. Jameis Winston getting converted by Messi worship is peak World Cup chaos.
The guy was right about Cabo Verde, though
Here’s the thing. Cabo Verde is the second-least populated country to ever qualify for this 48-team World Cup. They had no business hanging with Argentina. But they did. They came back twice, forced extra time, and only lost 3-2 after pushing the champs to the limit. Messi scored his record 20th World Cup goal in the 29th minute, but it wasn’t easy. The man had to earn that win.
Winston, a former No. 1 overall pick and Heisman winner, clearly has a soft spot for the beautiful game. He’s been hyping Messi all tournament, and Sunday just confirmed what everyone already knows. When the crowd gets going, even a guy in a full shark costume can’t resist the pull.
Argentina moves on to face Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Expect more Messi chants. Expect Jameis to be there. Probably not in the shark costume this time, but who knows. That man is unpredictable.
Leave a Comment