The Argentina squad’s transfer from Kansas City to Miami for their round-of-16 fixture against Cape Verde was punctuated by a security episode that quickly circulated online. As players passed through Transportation Security Administration checks on the tarmac, an agent inspecting Cristian Romero’s bag pulled out a large spark lighter—a magiclick—prompting Lionel Messi, waiting nearby, to burst into laughter. The item was confiscated under aviation rules, and the team proceeded to Florida without further incident.

Viewed from North America, the screening reflected the rigorous protocols applied uniformly during the 2026 World Cup, with no exceptions for high-profile athletes. All squad members, including Messi, were subjected to metal-detector scans and manual bag inspections. Argentine media noted that the checks, intensified under the current US administration, had already drawn attention from several participating delegations, though the Albiceleste’s reaction was one of amusement rather than complaint.

The spark lighter, a common household tool for igniting stoves or grills, carried a specific purpose within the squad. Romero, along with teammates Lisandro Martínez and Nahuel Molina, is part of a group that burns palo santo wood to “cleanse energies” before matches—a ritual that began during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The lighter was intended for that practice, but its presence in hand luggage fell foul of security regulations, leaving the defender without his esoteric accessory for the journey.

Argentina arrived in Miami later that day and resumed training at Inter Miami’s facility, with head coach Lionel Scaloni preparing for the knockout clash. The team faces Cape Verde on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium, with the winner advancing to a quarter-final against either Egypt or Australia. The incident, while light-hearted, did not disrupt the squad’s focus on the immediate sporting objective.