They excelled at the World Cup, interest in Cape Verde players grows

2026-07-06 10:20:00, Sport CNA

The elimination by Argentina ended Cape Verde's World Cup campaign, but the African team leaves the tournament with a much higher profile than they had at the start of the competition. The team's performances and resilience against stronger opponents have seen some of its players attract the attention of clubs and the international market.

One of the most talked about names after the end of the adventure in the World Cup is goalkeeper Vozinja. The Cape Verde goalkeeper was one of the most important players of the team during the tournament, making decisive saves in several matches. His contract with Ccaves in Portugal has ended and he is currently looking for a new destination. Vozinja himself has announced that he is open to any offer and does not rule out the possibility of a transfer to Brazilian football.

Even in the defensive department, the name that stands out is Piko Lopes. The 34-year-old footballer continues to be one of the main figures of Shamrock Rovers in Ireland and one of the most experienced players in the national team. After his performances at the World Cup, the media have reported interest from clubs in the United States, which could bring a significant change in his career.

In midfield, Deroi Duarte has been one of the players who has benefited the most from the exposure of the tournament. He became the protagonist in the match against Argentina, where he scored the equalizer for his team. Duarte has a contract with Ludogorets in Bulgaria until 2028, but his performances at the World Cup have increased interest from other clubs.

Meanwhile, the situation of captain Rajan Mendes remains open. The experienced footballer has completed his contract with Turkish club Igdir and has not yet made a decision on his future. In addition to sporting issues, his name has also been mentioned in reports that speak of an investigation in New Zealand, making his situation more unclear compared to the rest of the national team players.

However, the player who has attracted the most attention during the tournament is Lopes Cabral. The striker became one of the revelations of the World Cup thanks to his performances and especially the goal scored against Argentina. His action and finishing against the reigning champions immediately put him in the spotlight of the media and football specialists.

Shortly before the World Cup, Lopes Cabral was transferred to Trabzonspor for 10 million euros. After the tournament, he is expected to continue his career in Turkey, now with a much greater reputation and high expectations for the upcoming season. At a young age, he is considered one of the most promising talents in African football and his performances at the World Cup have further strengthened this perception.

Despite their elimination to Argentina, Cape Verde leaves the World Cup with a positive balance in terms of the development of the country's football. The national team managed to gain respect on the international stage and some of its footballers have significantly increased their market value.